I started out on vinyl in 1998, so I do think I had my fair share of it. But never mind, if you take them in another way they were meant, then I take back all monkeys and musicians. They are welcome to find shelter in my house.
Always a happy place, such forums 
My 2 cents, if anyone would want them…
First of, I agree with you both in a way. No need to stumble over each other’s wording.
Being an old geezer, I feel that DJ skill isn’t the same as in the old days. That’s because I’m ehh old, “mixing was an artform” back then and you “couldn’t train a monkey” to do it. 
People even came to see the skilled DJ and what new music he/she played. Just to have a good time.
From an old geezer’s perspective. Nowadays, the people still come to see the DJ, but they really don’t care about the skill. They just want to hear his/her music they probably already know. Just to have a good time.
Has it changed the importance of the DJ’s? No. Different type of audience, different type of DJ. Personally, I don’t like the majority of DJ’s of today. Multi-million dollar earning and for what “skill”? However, I’m NOT their audience! Jealous? Yes.
We had full houses in the 90s. Every weekend nearly 3000 people, but the pay was small.
I understand the topic start @STU-C, but cannot answer really. I only play at home, by myself, entertaining only me. Don’t care for audiences anymore. Left the industry a long time ago. Really egotistical haha.
Next to being a mix DJ, my interest was also on the radio side of things. The tech side of both is still very cool. How easy would it have been, way back when?
Yeah, OLD.
Good evening @Reese, @Johan, @STU-C and @all to whom it may concern,
I thought it over for some moments, relaxed and felt free at last to drop a line, phps. to comfort you all as follows:
I had my first gig at easter 1976 (aged 23 yo). Bonny M (Sunny) and others were the favorite artist. The first 12 incher occured: Undisputed Truth (you + me). Or Candy Staton’s Young hearts … The DJ’s equipment contained two LENCO turntables, speed was possible to change and adjust. Starting the duty when the sun was going down, finishing duty when the sun raised, and the birds were singing. And we had fun.
In the middle of 1978 beatmatching became favourite (counting BPM with the stop watch, chasing for the newest smashed hits, reading BILLBOARD’s discocharts very carefully and so on).
In autumn of 1978 TRINITY in HAM should be opend, but the opening was postponed to the end of the year 1978 and so Charon Lee visited the club, where I was the “resident DJ” at the weekend. She watched me at work and so we started chatting and I became the chance to have some lessons with her, thanks.
My last public gig was at the year ending party 1981, as I finished my education and there were no time left for DJ-ing. But I always bought some records, stored them and had a private equipment just for fun and hobby situated on the attic. Ending 1997 I stopped this hobby as of my profession there was no time left for DJ-ing.
All the time there were no digital equipment but only VINYL and you had to rely on your feeling and ears for beatmatching. Pls. don’t ask me, how many transitions ended in “all mixed up” and the greatest success was, hearing successful transitons on the tape, recorded at night (Applause)
In the meantime I’m fading to grey and when CORONA locked down everything, so I decided in 2021 to digitize my Vinyl-Records, bought a P4 and started beatmatching and DJ-ing on nowadays standard.
Pls. believe me all, I’m really glad to create smooth transitions with the technique of today with those records sometimes elder than 45 years and at that time it was impossible to beatmatch them properly (now I know, why). Most of my friends and others are pushing me now to relaunch gigging 
, but I think, good idea, but better no way for some reasons.
It will be enough for me, visiting dance parties, being with you and let’s have fun.
The essence of this post may be that I’m really keen on, learning what kind of sound systems, features, tools, controllers and so on will be developed in future, what kind of experience you will make, what RGB-pattern “will be best” but I will be honestly glad, when we will be able for setting and improving the beat grid by hand or automatically. I’m sure, DENON’s staff is working on it with first priority.
So all have prosperous gigs, heat up the crowd and embrace the future with your equipment and all skills you have and at last enjoy beatmatching and have fun.
Brgds BeatMaster
Fantastic post BM… a nice read, love reading stories and experiences like this.
It links to my own thoughts quite closely. I love Vinyl and always will, but I also love tech. So thats why DVS is the absolute pinnacle of this tech in my eyes, it allows me to enjoy all the benefits of digital with the feel of vinyl. It undoubtedly makes smooth transitions a bit easier than standard vinyl but still allows for those mistakes to drop in if you’re not on it. Keeps you on your toes so to speak:)
The other massive thing for me, it keeps my beloved 1210 M3D’s relevant, the thought of packing them away for media players would be heartbreaking.
Dear STU-C,
thanks, the photo you posted a few days ago, I really love. The crowd is so happy, obviously good work from the DJ 
.
And 1210 will never die
Enjoy the night
Brgds BeatMaster
Haha the crazy thing about that, it was about 2 weeks after the Covid restrictions lifted so people were allowed to dance again, almost felt weird. I miss the madness of that night but dont miss the 1am finish and the fact it was outside in the UK so bloody freezing for 6 months of the year.
I can also relate to that vinyl feeling, but I should play more vinyl then I do now. Maybe because I’m busy testing new stuff…
Anyways. My inner core has always been minimal techno with longer blends (Linear System and Oscar Mulero kind of techno to give some examples).
Back in the day there was no big market to play my taste in music, so I just “acted” to be a commercially driven DJ. Played everything from mostly top40 to club, house etc. in our local venue. That also gave us our full houses. Had much fun entertaining the people, because it was outside my comfort zone and I needed to dive deep into the audience. Most Dutch DJ’s came from those type of venues, so highly diverse schooled in essence.
In my home country ChrisDeluxe is the kind of DJ that plays all the Top40 hits, but he’s so good at doing that! From ballad to hiphop, no sweat: Instagram video by Chris Deluxe • Jul 13, 2022 at 4:48 PM. Simply hats off.
smile
it’S a reminder to the welcome back party on 06th August 2022. Three dancefloors, warm August night, everybody was most delighted and “full speed”. I think I don’t forget this happy night …
Commencing at 22:00 o clock, coming home at 04:00 clock next morning. I drove with my bycicle through the park …
If you are interested, no advertisment
Ü30-HH.de (copy it in to the field of your google system —of the Ü—
or https://www.tanzimpark-hamburg.de
to be continued, you are welcome
Brgds BeatMaster
Moin @Reese,
it’s always fine to hear of colleagues (m/w/d), who made music and some noise at the time, when the Disco starts walking.
Btw.: When I was an active DJ, I drove every 6 / 8 weeks from HAM to A’Dam to buy the hottest hot shots. Phs. You will know Peter Duijkerslot in Single 10 and phs. the shop will still exist. If, kind regards to him.
Have a good night, till next post
Brgds BeatMaster
Hi Jay, you are taking me back! Rodigan was in a line of a few reggae presenters to emerge in the 70’s, and was a significant part of my upbringing in the music scene. We would hear the music Rodigan et al played on the radio and run out and buy the 12 and 7inch with our pocket money. My sojourns took me all over London - Tottenham, my original ‘ends’, Hackney in east London, Shepherd’s Bush, Harlesdon, Brixton and of course, Daddy Kool in Dean Street off Oxford Street. I gave my 1210’s to my godson a few years back, and have regretted it ever since. Kept my spare wanna be technics Numark TT2’s so I can still, when in the mood, spin some plastic! I even have an original Dansette radiogram from the early 60’s (which was used at my Christening party- I even have the old black and white pics of me in arms!). I am really digressing……so I’ll stop there.
DJ MikeyJ, Saturday nights was Rodigan on Capital and Sundays was Trevor Williams Reggae Rockers show on Radio London. I remember browsing the vinyl in Daddy Kool records also Red Records and Black Market records. My first ever 12" vinyl was Money in my Pocket by Dennis Brown. My mate does a reggae show on a saturday night on Mixcloud, DJ Barneys Big Peoples Music show, it reminds me of laying on my council estate bed in Essex all those years ago listening to Rodigan. I sold all of my vinyl to Crazy Beat Records in Upminster, which I now regret since the emergence of USB turntables. I spent a fortune on imported 80’s soul and funk in Red Records and Black Market, played them in the local pub on a Friday night as had a turn as their DJ but got fed up after a while with drunks asking for Abba, Rod Stewart and stuff like that and then saying I was crap as I quite politely pointed out that I don’t play that type of music, back in the days of carting heavy record cases around.
STU, I’m loving that remix of Open Sesame, thanks for that its quality 
No probs man:) you should check out the rest of his stuff on Bandcamp he does some other fantastic edits too, like Leon Haywood - Strokin for example.
That’s me down a Bandcamp rabbit hole for the next hour or two.
Awesome Ian:)
Check out Suckaside, the Allergies, and Jim Sharp too.
It’s only derogatory if you’ve really tried to learn to beatmatch and totally failed
Honestly, I’ve taught many friends to beatmatch in mere hours. It’s not rocket surgery.
And of course, tools help. Beatmatching with tape decks is way more difficult, than with Traktor, even if you’re doing it by ear. If you’re comparing the difficulty of beatmatching to the difficulty of playing an instrument, well, I think that only tells something about your own skills and knowledge.
Not even worth a response this poor attempt at baiting/trolling.
Another one for the mute list.
But it is brain science. 
I have just downloaded the remix of Booker Newburys Love Town. I’ll have a listen to the other stuff.
Awesome Jay. The Barry White - Ecstasy edit is one of my go to records for gigs too, the piano build up is great:)
He has done an edit of Primal Scream with jungle brothers true blue too, works perfectly.
Cheers STU, I have the Barry White - Ecstasy as I downloaded the DJ XS album that had Open Sesame on it. Just downloaded some SuckaSide, thanks for the tip. I’ve played some of the Allergies stuff as I found them on Spotify a while ago. Knowing the music you’re into I assume you will be a fan of Dave Lee (Joey Negro) I’ve loved his stuff for many years and he’s done some fantastic remixes.