subject: Become a DJ – Vinyl or CD [print this page] Become a DJ Vinyl or CD Become a DJ Vinyl or CD
When learning how to DJ, it can be difficult to decide whether to purchase CD decks or vinyl turntables. Ideally if you can afford both, then great, but affording both isn't always a viable option, so in this post I will try and explain my thoughts on where you should start!
Deciding between CD decks and vinyl turntables is a bit of a personal preference, most DJ's have their own opinions and all no doubt with very valid points such as the feel, ease of use and sound quality etc.
My opinion expressed in this post is solely for beginner DJs that are starting out!
Although I have a soft spot for vinyl turntables I have to say when starting out on your journey as a DJ particularly in the beginning when you are learning it is very difficult to go past CD decks for a number of reasons.
The main reason for me is the availability and cost of music I know when I started out keeping up to date with the latest vinyl releases was difficult and at times frustrating. The cost of a track on vinyl is at least five times more expensive than a digital download of the same track that you can put on CD.
So when you are at the beginning of your DJing journey and you are practicing relentlessly, having a variety of music to select from can become critical to your motivation.
Vinyl - If you are practicing a couple of hours every night, which you should be, and you purchase say five vinyls a week, then it won't take long for you to become sick of those tracks no matter how much you like them. It quickly becomes a catch twenty two where you continually feel like you are chasing your tail. By the time your new vinyls arrive you are sick of the older ones, and as a direct result you stop playing them.
I can assure you from experience if you don't have fresh music to sink your teeth into when practicing, your motivation levels will begin to slide, guaranteed! After all its the music that made you fall in love with DJing from the beginning right?
CD's - If you decide to go down the CD route then motivation should never become a problem as your collection of CD's that you have accumulated over the years can come into play, you can purchase five times the amount of tunes via digital downloads on a weekly basis and you can freely share music with your friends and fellow DJ's.
Result: Worlds of music that will keep your lips watering and should have you motivated to get on the decks and practicing as much as possible. When you have worlds of music at your disposal then it shouldn't be too difficult to find the motivation you need.
No matter which way you decide to go the fundamentals of becoming a DJ stay the same, once you learn on one type of device you should have no problems transferring the skills to another. The most important thing that is way above deciding on CD decks or vinyl turntables is making a commitment to do whatever it takes to live your dream and learn how to DJ.
