The battle scene has been the fiercest defender of the turntable and vinyl faith for the longest time. But the purist walls of #realdjing began to fall when DVS became a standard fixture in the DMC battles. And when the new online battle allowed just about any technology to be used, a few DJs began to experiment and to push the boundaries of what had previously been allowed in battle sets.
But it would appear that the boundaries have been pushed beyond those of accepted #realdjing, and a DJ not using vinyl or turntables has won a DMC battle. The Abbot from New Zealand put out a cracking routine, and has been announced as the winner of round four of the online battle.
Before you spit your dummies out, watch the set and then comment. For what I’m watching is not a stereotypical controllerist set, but is very much a modern turntable set but done on a Pioneer DDJ-SZ. It’s certainly be easy enough to translate to turntables should The Abbot win and appear at the world final.
As I understand it, the entries are all voted for by the public, and then the top 10 are judged by DMC champions. The public vote put this set at number four, which is still a good result. But it’s enlightening to see how the judges voted. They’re all what many would consider to be #realdjs in the spirit of the hashtag, but they’ve taken a very progressive outlook on the set, and feel that it’s about the music and technique, and not the technology or format that matters. Speaking for DJWORX, we love it — not just the set, but the progressive nature of the voting and judging.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Are you happy to see sets like this win battles? Are you still getting used to DVS? Or is your purism so extreme that you consider battle vinyl to be cheating of the highest order?
….. I’m surprised by the lack of comments (figured there would be a holy/religious internet war over this)
There’s time, but my guess is that like the voters and judges, stances are softening and becoming more progressive. The usual subjects will chip in for sure, but what’s done is done.
It could be interesting see a stadistic with % of people visiting the web (relative evolution) over the years vs interest on different subjects (turntablism, controllerism, producing…) due I feel djing is a fashion for the young who came and go, only keeping a small part as loyal userbase (growing in totals but ungrowing in % every year)
With the
I’ve seen a few videos of what were marked as DMC routines and a lot of them seemed to include Dicers – am I mistaken and if not, then I don’t see the difference between control vinyl with dicers and a controller. (which is to say, I see the difference, but I don’t think it’s as great a difference as raw vinyl vs. control vinyl).
my guess is he won the round so dmc could encourage more controlerists to enter so they can get more revenue and create a bit of controversy to gain some publicity, and the article here seem that it has worked
Preface: this guy has 1 billion times the skill level that I possess.
But, I thought the scratching was a little sloppy. Juggling was impressive, but I thought the scratching could have been a lot tighter. Perhaps this is solely due to the fact that jog wheels are being used, rather that a 12″ motorised platter?
If that is the case, and I suspect it plays a big part – why not allow controllers? I’d imagine most scratch DJ’s are going to prefer a large motorised platter (most likely a turntable) to be their weapon of choice anyway.
I love this other set of The Abbot:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7GDtRXyLwF4
:)
Fkit that was a hot routine!
For me…it’s when the musician/dj is on the ragged edge of his skill level and the wheels are almost about to fall off, that true greatness shines through…it’s back to analogue/digital debate and , for me, analogue skillz are the only ones worth shouting about when it comes to cutting it up, simply because they have to be honed in by the artist for years before a “pro” level is reached…it’s horses for courses really, who would want to hear Zakk Wylde ripping it up on a keytar???
Since when has the #realDjing movement been about turntable’s? One of its biggest proponents (A-trak) uses cdj’s…
The movement was suppose to be an “f-u” to these wack ass, pre-recorded ableton set on a jumpdrive in a cdj, “press play” dj’s, and injecting flavor and creativity back into the scene. Not about dissing gear or play styles.
take away the video and nobody could tell if it was a controller or vinyl/dvs… either way, this routine was hot shit. props! this age old debate about real/fake DJing and controllers vs DVS should be behind us. like it or not, the scene/artform has evolved and so has the gear we use. but it still all has the same common denominator… MUSIC! with the new gear comes new creative ways to play. but this routine could have fooled me if i only heard the audio.
Buuullllll sh*t! lol I actually started learning on a set of CDJs well over 10yrs ago before switching to turntables. Sure technology has gotten the sound quality of scratching pretty close, but it’s absolutely NOT the same. That’s really my only reservation when it comes to controllers. Love the bells and whistles, but it just doesn’t sound and feel the same… :/
Another failed attempt to start a flame war Mark, you really need to step up your game.
Abbot is not doing a controllerist routine, I don’t see any buttons pushed on an S8, but rather Pioneer platters getting spinned within the same DMC frame as always. And he is doing a damn fine job, so why shouldn’t he win this round?
You guys really need to chill.
We’re in total support of this routine and the result, and state it plainly in the story. I signifies a key moment in the evolution of the art of turntablism and the wider acceptance of technology into a genre renowned for the fierce protection of its traditional borders.
The set itself is a marvellous mixture of traditional scratching and juggling, combined with some very pure controllerist elements. It is the very model of progressive DJing.
I would urge you to stop looking for agendas and stirring up ill will where there is none. This story is all about championing the progressive nature of technology in all areas of DJing. And despite the antagonistic approach in your comment, we appear to be in total agreement.
With all due respect, you were the one who brought up, yet again, that crap about #realdjing and “acceptable boundaries”. No real turntablist / DJ, who respects himself, brings up any of this anymore. This shit is for rookies who just jumped on the DJ backwagon and nothing more.
Off to the next video now. DV has a dope scratch battle going on currently. Unfortunately though, it’s just on normal turntables and mixers, lol.
Was this clickbait, probably yes.
But this site was origionally Scratchworx, so I’m pretty sure they are not in the anti-turntable/pro-controller crowd. Mark was just pointing out a first in the DJing world, and it is an event that should be acknowledged.
I agree with you, and it’s nice to see such milestones being pointed out. That’s why I thought that #realding was an unnecessary addition to the discussion.
Pretty sure you don’t speak for ALL DJs. Self respect has nothing to do with respecting and appreciating the art and tradition of TT. Sounds like clickbait indeed. Lol
It is crystal clear that this is intended to lampoon the #realdjing tag and thought process which does still exist and we still see all over the comments on this very blog. You’ve taken it wayyyyy to personally.
Don’t waste your breath Stephen. Kebzer says has left the DJWORX community. I reckon he sneaks back though. ;)
Mark nice article the but title is all wrong… #realdj did not take a hit in this video… Abott is reallying djing in this video Thats what #realdjing is all about… Not creating pre-recorded sets just pushing play with you hands in the air.
You need to chill. The comments you refer to were tongue in cheek, obviously. Yes, obviously. It was obvious. Wind your neck in.
Obviously this, obviously that. Any comments on the video itself, or is that obvious too?
I was answering your comments accusing djworx of flamewarring, if i felt the need to comment on the video, i’d do that separately, away from your bonkers ranting. Obviously.
I haven’t seen the video yet. My take is that DJing is about adaptability, being more flexible, whatever the technology used.
Grand Master Flash didn’t use a standard dj mixer at the beginning but a microphone one that he adapted to the way he wanted to use it.
Technology allows us to do incredible stuff, though, some big names remain lame with the best weapons in hands (fortunately, not technical dj’s and inventive ones. You may know the persons i’m talking about). DMC juges are righteous enough to take everything in consideration and vote for the right reasons.
Whatever, we gotta push boundaries, take the art to the next level…
I agree with the DJWORX 100%….
One can still sense the jog wheels in the sound, and I mean quite a bit.
solid routine, I’ve just never liked the release action when scratching on pioneer, or really any non motorized platter jog wheels. The tails and natural drags get lost and scratching sounds… thin. otherwise he juggled and transformed on three songs very well…
It’s good thing… the hashtag is old and played out. The Abbot deserves the wins and as someone who has followed the online battle since it started I know The Abbot would have no problem moving the set on to turntables. Some of his previous entries have been amazing also.
I would have no hesitation entering on my vci380 should I ever be competent enough. The whole point of turntablism was to do what others wouldn’t and this set is a perfect example
Anyway props to the judges for not standing in the way of progress and being more open minded than a lot people out there.
Seeing that, within the first few seconds I though “I bet he learned on turntables” and sure enough his YouTube channel states 18 years experience with vinyl t/t’s.
That fella slayed :) There were some really creative bits in there :) Nice work!
He will use turntables if he gets (not going to happen) to the world finals in London, he learned his skills on turntables but im sure there will be better and more original DJs at the end of the day. This means it was a poor heat and no big players in this one.
The judges will vote for originality, flow and skills so he’ll be out in the next round.
i would guess he would know how to use real tables because he has some technique. i just think it sounds bad. And after the likes of qbert do the things they do this just doesn’t hold a candle to it to me.
yup it sounded pretty bad, don’t worry he won’t get very far in the next heat
The set was good, no question there… But it was not consistent enough to be in London. I would like some set to be with a constand flow in it. this for me isn’t it…
The plattform it is played on “DDJ” vs. “T/T” is not an issue, he shows that he knew what he was doing quiet well.
It is a nice set, but it lacks some flow wich I would expect form this kind of competition.
My thoughts exactly. Not to mention I didn’t find it to be the cleanest routine. And id question how “easily” that routine would transition from the controller to TTs. You’ll always better faster on a compact controller verse a spread out TT set up
Didn’t seem all that clean to me either.
Crossfader-to-platter distance seemed further away to me (than with decks battle style & 2-channel mixer)
Reminds me of the set Hedspin did on an S9 and 2 CDJ 900 Nexus units. It’s all about the SKILLS.
………….skills that I don’t have lol
What software is he using???
Serato. From his Facebook page/account:
Me too I’d like to know as well
That won a DMC?
About time….
ähm, nope ;)
I liked the button pushing bits but otherwise this one is not my faves. Not dissing on anyone’s skills, just not my cup of tea. Let’s see how round 5 turns out!
Having grown up watching DJ Cash Money and DJ Jazzy Jeff, perform their scratch routines at High School- and Block parties in the (215) aka Philly…and “5x DMC World Champion DJ Craze takes things to the next level in [his] new turntables routine, using TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO and the CONTROL X1 controller. Using the X1, Craze simultaneously triggers cue points on both decks, while still staying true to his roots with some serious beat juggling.” I invite you to watch DJ Craze’s YouTube video. My take away from this is that either you have mad DJ skills or you don’t! The medium you choose to use to showcase them doesn’t matter. Therefore, while your preference might be turntables and someone else’s is controller jog wheels or both…so be it. The bottom line is that the DMC judges will decide if you’re a “#realdj or not…” But know this–technology is here to stay so–if you want to take your DJ skills to the next level you might want to get with the program because at the end-of-day…DJing is about innovates ways of manipulating sounds, beats, and so forth to create rhythmic grooves people can dance to or in the case of the DMC listen to. Furthermore, the last time I checked Electronic MIDI Music Production is the way music is produced today…with the rare exception of country music, there are no live musicians being use doing music production these days. So let’s judge DJs on their skills (scratching, beat juggling, time, creativity, and innovative use of technology, etc.) which is what the DMC judges rightly did when voting to advance DJ Abbot on to the next round.
sloppy skills won’t get him to the final, as i said before this was a very poor heat for him to go through. Let’s hope in the next round will be more original routines and flow
You grew up in Philly now that’s were originators not duplicators came from: 2Tuff, Tat, Code, Cash, DJ MA, Trevor Flash, Spinbad, Ghetto, Elliot Ness, DJ Jaz, and so on…
The only fact of dealing with the mad latency of the ddj-sz (which i use once a week) is a true performance.
I’m sorry but that routine was all over the place. Timing was off. What he was doing requires skill. It just wasn’t pleasant on the ears.
Look, props to The Abbot, but if he can’t do handspins on his CDJ’s then really, what’s even the point? Someone take breakdancing on turntables to the next level, please.
This misses the point of #realdjing completely… A-Trak started this and he’s all about expressing yourself as a DJ using whatever gear you feel like. I don’t know a lot of legit DJs that talk shit on controllorists. It doesn’t matter what gear you use, it matters what you do with the tracks, how you manipulate songs and sounds and how you put yourself into the routine. That’s what #realdjing is all about.
Real djing is means Actually djing and not Ableton live or pre recorded sets by just pushing play. This guy is a #realDj… They need to change the name of this article
Wasnt impressed at all. Watching DJs like A Trak Cash Money Cutmaster Swift DJ Craze etc… This really was shocking
This is very impressive, with a high level of difficulty, skillfully done. Way to rock those cues!
How long are they gonna deny AsOne as the rightful champion as clearly most precise competitor in the online dmc? Go back and watch his finals entry from year one.
Ummm, that sounded like digital ass.
Impressive techniques with less than satisfactory sound.
Bravo, but I’m guessing there wasn’t much to compete against in this round?
Still don’t get whether competitive DJing is supposed to be a SPORT (Like skateboarding) or MUSIC (like being good at guitar). Is it both? Is it neither? I first listened to this routine without watching the video – it’s ok, musically. Not D-Styles level of making love to your ear drum but it’s interesting. I’ve heard much worse turntable routines posted on this site.
More like a music competition. There is a creative element and a technical element to it. Though skate boarding is atheletic i don’t think i’d categorize it as like the traditional sports because there’s the judging element. in that sense djing is similar. Where as say a track me or basketball game has a much more rigid scoring method to determine a winner. it’s less sbjective.
If he wins, hes gotta smash the controller, like this
http://youtu.be/XzPnKUa9DrU
that routine was pretty weak, if not embarrassing. I’ve seen much better from other controllerists.
It sounded like it was 2 minutes of someone trying to fix a loose connection with a signal cable.
I’m all for DMC controller routines, but this is just poor, maybe he was the only one that applied.
That sounds like shit. If that above won well. He’s good coordinated. I’d bet he could use actual turn tables but that digital scratching sounds like shit and sounds sloppy. I keep hearing the digital winding squeal. Personally i think it should be real vinyl only. and no digital cue points but that’s me. in a club go for it but for a competition i don’t thinks so.