The DJ on its way out?

[t0pher]

Ive just been thinking lately, is it possible that the internet dj is on its way out? with all the technology going into automated software such as sam has brought about an era where a dj is obsolete. It seems like more and more online stations are cutting the chatter and going with a playlist generated station without human interuption. Isn't a dj's rants, views, feelings, and all that other fun stuff the things that make radio, radio?
It seems like our stations are becoming no more than cd players playing a compilation disc infinite in length. What gives? [/rant]

[Evil Lu]

Ah, this old chestnut
There are so many different descriptions of what a dj actually is. Also there are many genres of music which cause djs to then argue about what's a right or wrong way to play their tunes.

Personally, I think that sticking a load of songs into a playlist and broadcasting them is not exactly a skill, but if the people listening get enjoyment out of it, so be it.

For some genres of music, rock, punk, metal, pop etc most of the audience will enjoy having a dj talk them through the music. Eg "That was <such and such a band> playing <name of tune>".

If it's music such as drum'n'bass, old skool, gabba, house etc then you usually do not want someone talking over the tracks as this music requires mixing and concentration on the djs side. (not very easy to do on a playlist I would imagine)

One way round all of this if you are a playlist dj, or someone like me, scared to death of a microphone is to build yourself a net chatroom or create an IRC channel and make yourself a small community. Then the dj can chat to the audience, the audience can request music and it's a more 'live' experience for all.

I don't think the djs are on their way out, it's just laziness on the part of the broadcasters side.

[BATeller]

We’ve seen the same problem in terrestrial radio. Everyone under the sun wants to voice track all their weekends now (at least in the DC-metro area). Personally I think it will catch up with management soon enough since the personal connection between the DJ and listener is gone thus taking the stations ‘personality’ away too. I mean jeez, are we TRYING to promote the sale and use of iPods?

[roby0215]

Voice track is absolutely deplorable. Some of the stations in Ontario are doing it now, and it's horrible. Mind you, the execution isn't very good either. I mean, lets face it, "Hey everyone I'm [name of DJ], it's the top of the hour and here's what I got coming for you.." Is very ineffective when the time is 7:40.
Just one of terrestrial radio's flubs. I won't get into the minutes of dead air when the computer melts down, the times when they've spun two track sequences at once....

[djSpinnerCee]

DJs will never die -- no software can do a better job than me.

Period.

The only thing software can do is make what appears to be a DJ from an end-user.

[Jay]

what really needs to be asked is what a dj brings to the table. Lately i haven't seen dj's bring much to the table in terrestrial environments. Most of this stuff is setup and run by program directors.

I honestly think the days of the tradition live radio dj are numbered, at least in a 24hour timescale. You will always have radio personalities, but unless the dj actually has control and knowledge about what he is playing and he can do all this without offending listeners then it isn't worth the cost from a broadcaster standpoint. Let's also be honest about what this is about, it is not laziness that causes this, it is the bottom line. If you can sell just as many ads and make just as much money without paying a human operator then that dj is not adding value and is just burning money that could go to making the station better for who it really matters to, the listeners.

Mix or club dj's are a different matter, I believe there is a certain amount of creativity and talent which adds something unique to the station so these types of dj's should always be considered valuable in genres where they make sense.

[ravetrax]

Originally posted by Evil Lu
If it's music such as drum'n'bass, old skool, gabba, house etc then you usually do not want someone talking over the tracks as this music requires mixing and concentration on the djs side. (not very easy to do on a playlist I would imagine)

One way round all of this if you are a playlist dj, or someone like me, scared to death of a microphone is to build yourself a net chatroom or create an IRC channel and make yourself a small community. Then the dj can chat to the audience, the audience can request music and it's a more 'live' experience for all.

this is what we have done, and it seems to work well...

we do have dj's that talk on the stream and i have my weekly 15 ramble about shit thats going on and alot of people actually enjoy that and will show up just so i will mention there name, so i see both sides of the coin...

but by far do i think the internet dj is going out, its just evolving.

[tuckerm]

Originally posted by Evil Lu
I don't think the djs are on their way out, it's just laziness on the part of the broadcasters side.

i tottally agree lu, 100% behind u on this one

[PC Radio Net]

Our station runs 24/7. All our syndicate shows run from 6-8 PM with DJ Magic leading into the time with the % O'Clock Rush Hour. Outside of that, I'm on the air all the time talking in between songs, taking requests and stirring up emotions.

[mcflymarty]

"what is a dj if you cant scratch?"

[ravetrax]

Originally posted by mcflymarty
"what is a dj if you cant scratch?"

not ALL dj's can scratch... tourntablist scratch.

dj's mix, and my mixing i mean the ability to blend to tracks together with sounds and beats at matching tempos to create a flawless mix of the two songs so that they actually sound like one.

[Jay]

the basic definition of a dj or disk jockey is someone who plays music for an audience. From there on out it is just different styles of djing.

[djSpinnerCee]

"someone" (or some software), lol

*** I still believe a human brain can put together a better "presentation" than any random-selecting box ***

[Jay]

software is not a dj, despite what companies want to tell you. A DJ is a human presence.

[mcflymarty]

ravetrax i agree, djing doesnt *just* mean scratching... and i do appreciate the skill of flawless beatmixing, getting all the levels and eq's right etc. respect.

just posted an old school hiphop sample/quote to take the piss =D

but i tend to think "turntablists" require more technical proficiency, rearranging and manipulating an existing song to make new beats/sounds rather than just playing one record after another.

but i guess, each to their own.

[laurent981]

I believe Djs as a matter of fact are on their way out. Personalities are not though... There are endless possibilities today to listen to the music you want to listen to...mp3 players, internet radio, CDs, terrestrial ans Satellite Radios are accessible to most everyone. Personalities are a little harder to replace though Such as Stern, Opie & Anthony, Loveline guys and so on... But Raido as we know it is making its exit as we speak I believe...Just like AM radio did a few years back... As soon as it is easy fro most everyone to get internet radio in the car on their way to work in the morning and afternoon it'll be done with.

The revolution will not be "radio"ized

[djSpinnerCee]

That just means that ANYONE can be a DJ, LOL