The Technological Aspects Of Digital

DJ’ing

Austin MachicoteCOMP 89

April 19th, 2011

Disc jockey, or DJ- selects and plays recorded music for an audience

Disc- refers to disc records, Jockey- operator of a machine

Term coined in 1935 by American commentator Walter Winchell

Jimmy Savile, 1943- world’s first DJ dance party- played jazz records◦ Claimed to be the first DJ to use twin turntables to

mix music

History and Background

1920s- phonograph/vinyl records primary medium for commercial music reproduction (Thomas Edison)◦ First time we were capable of audio playback

By the 1980’s, digital music was introduced and many DJ’s switched from using vinyl records to CD’s for storing and playing audio

Dj’s still use today for many types of music

Radio DJ’s- introduce and play music broadcast over AM, FM, or internet radio stations

Club DJ’s- select and alter music in club settings (bars, nightclubs, etc.)

Hip-Hop DJ’s- use multiple turntables to back up an MC- scratching methods used more often

Etc.

Types of DJ’s

Well-known Digital DJs

Bassnectar

Turn tables Sound system for amplification MIDI (musical instrument digital

interface) DJ mixer Headphones Effects Units/Synthesizers Audio files (recorded songs/music)

Basic Equipment/Agenda

Every DJ has his own style and setup, this is a typical DJ setup

Diagram

Turntablism- the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using digital turntables and a DJ mixer◦ Beatmixing, scratching

Turn Tables

Stylus- located at the end of the tone arm Tone arm- located on a rotating support and balanced for the styli

being used Speed selector lever- lower left corner of the turntable (33 1/3, 45,

78, neutral) On/off button Platter- center of the turntable, covered with a pad that protects

the records Pitch control- increases or lowers the pitch of the music Plinth- base of the table

Parts of a Turntable-Explanation

Parts of a Turntable

A phonograph that plays gramophone records using a laser beam to read the music ◦ Outdates the old, diamond-tipped stylus◦ Avoids physical contact with the record during

play-back◦ Focused beam of light traces the signal in the

vinyl with zero friction◦ No deterioration

Laser Turntable

The laser pickup uses five beams—one on each channel to track the sides of the groove, one on each channel to pick up the sound (just below the tracking beams), and a fifth to track the surface of the record and keep the pickup at a constant height, which allows for record thickness and warping.

The lasers focus on a section of the groove above the level where a conventional stylus will have traveled, and below the typical depth of surface scratches, giving the possibility of like-new reproduction even from worn or scratched records.

The laser turntable is extremely sensitive to record cleanliness and will play exactly what it sees◦ Specks of dirt can interfere with the overall playback and alter the sound

When an LP (record) is inserted into the tray drawer and the drawer closed, the turntable reads the surface of the LP, displaying the number of tracks. Users can then program which tracks to play, or repeat, much as a CD player operates.

How A Laser Turntable Works

Headphones allow a disc jockey to monitor the music that he is playing

In the loud environment of many party venues, it is important for the DJ to be able to monitor any song he is playing or about to play.

Switches on typical mixers for headphone volume control DJ can be listening to his next song thru the headphones in

preparation to mix with the current song being played audibly

Headphone Use

Cost: Up to $300 for a nice pair of DJ headphones

Industry standard protocol that enables electronic musical instruments, (synthesizers, drum machines, etc) computers and other equipment (midi controllers) to communicate and synchronize with each other

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

So what's a MIDI controller? A MIDI controller looks just like a MIDI synthesizer, except it doesn't emit any sound by itself. Think of it like a joystick or a mouse. A MIDI controller only generates pure MIDI data that's interpreted by either a computer or an audio-enabled MIDI synthesizer

Tells the synthesizer or other electronic musical instrument what to do and how to sound

If a note is played on a MIDI controller, it will sound at the right pitch on any MIDI musical instrument whose MIDI In connector is connected to the controller's MIDI Out connector.

MIDI controllers are available in a range of forms, such as electronic drum triggers; pedal keyboards that are played with the feet (e.g., with an organ); EWI wind controllers for performing saxophone-style music; and MIDI guitar synthesizer controllers.

Pad controllers are used by musicians and DJs who make music through use of sampled sounds or short samples of music. Pad controllers often have banks of assignable pads and assignable faders and knobs for transmitting MIDI data or changes; the better-quality models are velocity-sensitive.

What’s a MIDI Controller?

Type of audio mixing console used by DJ’s Ability to redirect a non-playing source to

headphones (using headphones to listen to and time a song before the DJ fades into it)

Presence of a cross fader, allows for transition between music pieces

DJ Mixer

Consist of controls that help DJ’s to mix, cut, and cue music Crossfade- helps to transition and fade into new songs Faders- used to control volume and cross fades Knobs- used for gain

◦ Treble (controls high frequencies in songs i.e. high hats)◦ Middle (controls mid frequencies, i.e. vocals)◦ Bass (controls the low frequency, bass lines, etc)

Buttons- used for talk over and extra power Switches for toggling between channels Each channel refers to the specific sound source plugged into that channel.

Mixers can have as little as two channels and as many as 64 Sound sources such as CD players, laptops, Ipods, etc are plugged into a

given channel on the mixer From there, the sound source can be mixed and monitored via the

headphones using the knobs, faders, switches and buttons More controls such as a balance knob, built-in sound effects and aux-

sends for external effects units.

Function and Controls

Example

Electronic instrument with the ability to produce sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies

DJ’s use during performances today using MIDI controllers

Modern digital synthesizers use frequency synthesizer microprocessors to generate signals of different frequencies

While most bass synths are controlled by electronic keyboards or pedalboards, some performers use an electric bass with MIDI pickups to trigger a bass synthesizer.

Synthesizers

Video of a Professional DJ performance

Conclusion