Some people feel that using old DJ equipment is a bit of a pain in the neck. Literally, if your headphones weigh in at 2lbs. But there are several reasons why DJing with older equipment can be more fun. For one, it can add a level of unpredictability to your sets. Additionally, it can force you to be more creative in your song selection and mixing. And lastly, it can give you a sense of nostalgia for the days when DJing was a new and exciting technology.
It’s more challenging
Nobody really gets into DJing just to look cool in the headlights. It’s also about flexing your abilities a little. Rocking a battle mixer and a pair of turntables is eye-catching, to say the least. Crab cuts, scratching and other interesting tricks are what make for a good show, and also keep your live energy pumping. And it’s more impressive to the old school fans, for sure!
It’s more fun
Modern gear aims to make things more fun by outsourcing functionality to the software. The result is often that it’s less fun. Algorithmic selection and automated mixing are just two examples of making the art of DJing less fun. Equipment which lacks this functionality forces you to get into the vibe more. Watch and learn from this rad 90s DJ and see how much functionality the dude gets out of just the crossfader and master!
It can sound better
Don’t worry, this isn’t your dad’s rant about everything being better in the past. But it’s true that older equipment can sound better than some modern gear. Vinyl has a quality that beats digital, hands down. But even some of the circuitry of old mixers gives a signal color. It’s not like anyone’s carrying around rack-mount compressors for their shows, but using the occasional vintage hardware drum machine won’t hurt your sound!
Maybe the more convenient software makes our lives, the easier it is to progress. But where is all this progress taking DJs? Are software updates always strictly necessary? Questioning the purpose of your DJ efforts is a good idea. And very often, you realize that the gear you have is good enough. This is the kind of stuff we take you through in the How to DJ Masterclass. Go beyond the demand for new stuff and start making a name as someone who’s cool on any gear!