CD vs Vinyl

dude it depends on what you’re gonna do. if you plan on scrtching go with the vynil. the quality is so much better. if you’re really stumped buy the vynil tables and a program ike serato. it is the shiet!!! you’ll love it……..

My goodness… argue argue argue. It’s not really a matter of opinion, is it? We all feel what we feel about mp3, .wav and anaolg vinyl and we will probably alwyas feel this way.

Let’s get back to the source of the question: Pros/Cons of both…

Vinyl Pros:
Analog sound, non-compressed, hands-on feel (and sight), original mixing/’scratching format (post reel-to-reel or 4 track). "Opinion" – know your roots. For some, "digging" is part of the DJ adventure. You can also cue quickly by picking up the needle and tracking on the fly.

Vinyl Cons:
In time, they do cue burn. You can anti-static and clean, though, fidelity does deteriorate over time. Expensive compared to internet purchased mp3 and .wav, sometimes heavy to carry into gigs. Many tracks are limited to pressings. When they’re sold out, you wait for the next pressing. Waiting for vinyl to be shipped is sometimes a burden. Vibration skips are unavoidable in most cases. Bumping the turntable makes for big boo boo.

CD/MP3/WAV pros:
Unlimited supply of new tracks, light weight, immeditately available via download, inexpensive, digital sound quality (for those who enjoy it), most new players have the anti-skip mod. and other effects built-in, errors in playback are very rare. CDJ players rarely fall out of tune and require less maintanance. Plus, you can play your own original works and/or scratch your own samples.

CD/MP3/WAV cons:
There is a digital readout of where you are in the track rather than seeing the actual cue point a 12" provides, no hands-on experience other than start/pause/cue. There is a "vinyl" function on most new CDJ’s, however, nothing compares to a real record on a real turntable (I apologize for adding my opinion – just couldn’t find the right words), cd’s also skip – when they do, it’s much more difficult to get back on track by reading a digital display.

Digital DJ/Serato/Final Scratch Pros:
Your entire library in one place, if you konw your library, searching for the next track is very simple (if you KNOW what you want to play next), any and all music is playable on timecode cd’s or vinyl and reacts accordingly, lightest of lightweight, ease of mobility for working dj’s, visual cues from wave forms. Non-static playback and quality does not deteriorate.

Digital DJ/Serato/Final Scratch Cons:
COMPUTERS CRASH. Mac or Windows, I’ve seen it happen to both and is embarrasing to any DJ. Additinal booth wiring may not be available in some situations. OS compatibitliy, software updates, driver updates, etc. can be a burden to those less-tech-savvy.

In closing, club DJ’s/studio DJ’s/Tablists are all very different from eachother. I know very few scratch dj’s who would dare use a CD. Those that do, learned on and prefer 12" and, on rare occasions, use digital formats to promote new products. It’s a matter of personal preference. Try everything and you will find your way. Every DJ has a passion for a certain format, though it is important to learn all of them becasue you never know what setup you’ll be walking into. No matter what format you choose, it is important that you know you are part of a culture and the forward movement of that culture. Don’t just mimic, reinvent. Every DJ format has a list of pros and cons… far more than I listed above. It’s up to you to troubleshoot and plan ahead for your "plan B" if/when danger strikes.

Best of luck finding your way. The journey is well worth it.

the way technology is going vinyl is starting to fade its way out due to the instant availabiliy of music online and mp3 format, i was in the same situation and saved a bit of cash and got 2 cdj 100mk3’s and havn’t looked back since. cost more initially but you save a whole lot more in the end.

Owell im dj in portugal and i use both cdjs and vynil cdjs are really gd have loadz of effects loops etc… bt as dj ever1 knows that ppl enjoy more when u play a vynil. Ppl stay more impressed when they see 2 vynils spinning @ same time. so vynils without doubt are my favourites

vinyl is definatly best for learning on as you get a feel for the record so can understand slowing the record down and speeding it up better but now i prefer cdj’s with out a doubt. cd’s r lighter to carry around clubs a lot faster for mixing as u dont have to keep finding the cue point like on a record and give a better sound.

i love playin vinyl but its just not pratical ne more.. when i was buyin house music ur talkin ne where btwn 9 and 12 bucks for an import and would be lucky if u got more then 2 cuts on the wax.. but if ur talkin about quality in sound.. vinyl sounds better without a question

vinyl

I’m not even going to read other people’s replies and just go ahead and say VINYL VINYL VINYL. I’ve been using vinyl since I started and I absolutely can’t stand the FEEL of CD’s.

This is probably the strongest point of my argument, it’s about how certain mediums feel when you play them. If you want convenience and lower cost of digital tracks then do yourself a favour and still invest in analog turntables and buy a DVS system, you get CLOSE to that same vinyl feel, with the simplicity and easy of digital.

Has to be VINYL it really is like an investment buyin vinyl…especially real old vinyl.. but if i was just starting out i would use cd & mp3..Easy to take to gigs and if ur playin abroad it wont get lost or mislaid by airport staff..

I’ve been DJing for about 12 years. When I started, there was no such thing as CD players with pitch control. Therefore, my biased opinion is that vinyl is the only way to truly experience the true feeling of being a DJ. There’s nothing like being able to almost literally feel the music on your fingertips; being able to cue up a scratch without even having your headphones on your ears. I am and always will be a vinyl purist.

exactly schema, it would be a real shame if vinyl faded out completely,

long live vinyl

I use both but i feel the way things are going cd is ya best option. its cheaper easyer and everywhere uses them. also with the technology out there at mo you can do everything on cd’s than you can do on vinyl anyway.

[quote quote="flexmartin":j2qy2wem]If yer just starting out and $$’s are a concern go for the convenience and lower cost of CD, you may want a cheapo turney for some Vinyl only releases [edit: for recording to PC then CD] but you’ll prolly use it less & less in the future.
There will always be those who say that Vinyl will always rule and nothing beats the feel of it, or the sound of vinyl can’t be replaced, and I do understand that feeling, but it may be a misplaced emotional attachment to the media. I mean, we all really love music and want to feel it and touch it in a very real sense, Vinyl allows us to feel that we’re doing that but at the end of the day it’s just the media. Get over the superficial attachment to the recording media and learn how to get closer to -and connect with -the music. One way to achieve this is to learn just a little bit of music theory.[/quote:j2qy2wem]I agree!!Well said.

You have to change with the times.
Imagine if there was a guy out there still stuck on Victrolas