Wristwatch Turntable

I visited a DJ's apartment today and it got me to thinking about the different types of gear DJs use to make their music. In the old days of 2 turntables and a microphone, I think the skill and sickly creative mind of the man dropping the needle was more important than how technologically inept he or she was or wasn't. I glanced at some digital or computerized turntables today that I wouldn't even know how to plug in, let alone scratch.

When you look at the techniques and equipment used today in the live music production industry, let alone DJs, it's pretty fair to say we've come a long way baby. A drum machine used to be a pretty simple thing to operate. Or so I thought. When I went to the music store a few years back, I somehow got the idea that a dance-style drum machine would be a good investment. Well, I think it's still worth a good portion of the purchase price, but I didn't have the time or patience to learn how to maximize it. There it sits in my closet, gathering funky dust particles.

I went through this wierd stage of buying musical equipment between 2005-2007. I bought:

Turntables- partly because I got a bunch of my parents' old 45s and LPs mailed to me (they were spring cleaning)and partly because I saw a really sick DJ at a party and thought "I could do that!"

Drum Machine- because I wanted to make my own beats so I could drop some sick rhymes and do a little demo recording.

4-Track Tape Recorder... I know, nobody uses tape anymore, but because I had just bought a FENDER STRAT, I wanted to record some of my award-disqualifying licks and solos, and I found this 4-track with about 12 different guitar amp settings and a whole bunch of effects so I grabbed it.

Above mentioned STRAT- because I wanted to write some punk songs. I started to write, put a dozen or so on the backburner and then neglected to record any of them. I guess I never fully learned how to play, so I put it aside. I still find those dubbed tapes kicking around of me "sharpening my axe".

200 Watt Bass Amp - OK, this purchase was warranted. I needed it for gigs. Besides, I bought it used, got a sweet deal, and it's more than paid for itself over the last 2 years.

Acoustic Bass - Here was another failed attempt at coaxing myself into more songwriting. I had these visions of going to the beach or taking my bass out to parties or whatever, but it hasn't really materialized yet. Who knows, I might start using it more, but for now it's my rehearsal bass and nothing more. It's a handy tool I guess, but the money would be handy right now too.

This is pretty much where I am at right now. I've bought a couple of microphones and cables and things, plus my friends have given me a few things like an effects processor a limiter, etc.

Maybe I should have saved all that money and just jumped on the technology bandwagon. I'm not saying the DJs of today are less talented than the forefathers, but if I could practice all day long using the latest in technology, I would sure feel like James Bond. Unfortunately I'm just too busy these days to really put in the time and effort necessary. My hats go off to you though, ladies and gentleman of the beat. Maybe one day I can attend DJ School and learn the tricks of the trade.

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