The Technological Aspects Of Digital - PowerPoint Presentation

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The Technological Aspects Of Digital DJ’ing

Austin MachicoteCOMP 89April 19th, 2011Slide2

Disc jockey, or DJ- selects and plays recorded music for an audienceDisc- refers to disc records, Jockey- operator of a machineTerm coined in 1935 by American commentator Walter Winchell

Jimmy Savile, 1943- world’s first DJ dance party- played jazz recordsClaimed to be the first DJ to use twin turntables to mix musicHistory and BackgroundSlide3

1920s- phonograph/vinyl records primary medium for commercial music reproduction (Thomas Edison)First time we were capable of audio playback

By the 1980’s, digital music was introduced and many DJ’s switched from using vinyl records to CD’s for storing and playing audio Dj’s still use today for many types of musicSlide4

Radio DJ’s- introduce and play music broadcast over AM, FM, or internet radio stationsClub DJ’s- select and alter music in club settings (bars, nightclubs, etc.)

Hip-Hop DJ’s- use multiple turntables to back up an MC- scratching methods used more oftenEtc.Types of DJ’sSlide5

Well-known Digital DJsSlide6

BassnectarSlide7

Turn tablesSound system for amplificationMIDI (musical instrument digital interface)

DJ mixerHeadphonesEffects Units/SynthesizersAudio files (recorded songs/music)Basic Equipment/AgendaSlide8

Every DJ has his own style and setup, this is a typical DJ setup

DiagramSlide9

Turntablism- the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using digital turntables and a DJ mixerBeatmixing

, scratchingTurn TablesSlide10

Stylus- located at the end of the tone armTone arm- located on a rotating support and balanced for the styli being usedSpeed selector lever- lower left corner of the turntable (33 1/3, 45, 78, neutral)

On/off buttonPlatter- center of the turntable, covered with a pad that protects the recordsPitch control- increases or lowers the pitch of the musicPlinth- base of the table

Parts of a Turntable-ExplanationSlide11

Parts of a TurntableSlide12

A phonograph that plays gramophone records using a laser beam to read the music Outdates the old, diamond-tipped stylusAvoids physical contact with the record during play-back

Focused beam of light traces the signal in the vinyl with zero frictionNo deteriorationLaser TurntableSlide13

The laser pickup uses five beams—one on each channel to track the sides of the groove, one on each channel to pick up the sound (just below the tracking beams), and a fifth to track the surface of the record and keep the pickup at a constant height, which allows for record thickness and warping.

The lasers focus on a section of the groove above the level where a conventional stylus will have traveled, and below the typical depth of surface scratches, giving the possibility of like-new reproduction even from worn or scratched records.The laser turntable is extremely sensitive to record cleanliness and will play exactly what it seesSpecks of dirt can interfere with the overall playback and alter the soundWhen an LP (record) is inserted into the tray drawer and the drawer closed, the turntable reads the surface of the LP, displaying the number of tracks. Users can then program which tracks to play, or repeat, much as a CD player operates.

How A Laser Turntable WorksSlide14

Headphones allow a disc jockey to monitor the music that he is playingIn the loud environment of many party venues, it is important for the DJ to be able to monitor any song he is playing or about to play.

Switches on typical mixers for headphone volume controlDJ can be listening to his next song thru the headphones in preparation to mix with the current song being played audiblyHeadphone Use

Cost: Up to $300 for a nice pair of DJ headphonesSlide15

Industry standard protocol that enables electronic musical instruments, (synthesizers, drum machines, etc) computers and other equipment (midi controllers) to communicate and synchronize with each other

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)Slide16

So what's a MIDI controller? A MIDI controller looks just like a MIDI synthesizer, except it doesn't emit any sound by itself. Think of it like a joystick or a mouse. A MIDI controller only generates pure MIDI data that's interpreted by either a computer or an audio-enabled MIDI synthesizer

Tells the synthesizer or other electronic musical instrument what to do and how to soundIf a note is played on a MIDI controller, it will sound at the right pitch on any MIDI musical instrument whose MIDI In connector is connected to the controller's MIDI Out connector.MIDI controllers are available in a range of forms, such as electronic drum triggers; pedal keyboards that are played with the feet (e.g., with an organ); EWI wind controllers for performing saxophone-style music; and MIDI guitar synthesizer controllers.

Pad controllers are used by musicians and DJs who make music through use of sampled sounds or short samples of music. Pad controllers often have banks of assignable pads and assignable faders and knobs for transmitting MIDI data or changes; the better-quality models are velocity-sensitive.

What’s a MIDI Controller? Slide17

Type of audio mixing console used by DJ’sAbility to redirect a non-playing source to headphones (using headphones to listen to and time a song before the DJ fades into it)

Presence of a cross fader, allows for transition between music piecesDJ MixerSlide18

Consist of controls that help DJ’s to mix, cut, and cue musicCrossfade- helps to transition and fade into new songs

Faders- used to control volume and cross fadesKnobs- used for gainTreble (controls high frequencies in songs i.e. high hats)Middle (controls mid frequencies, i.e. vocals)Bass (controls the low frequency, bass lines, etc) Buttons- used for talk over and extra power

Switches for toggling between channels

Each channel refers to the specific sound source plugged into that channel. Mixers can have as little as two channels and as many as 64

Sound sources such as CD players, laptops,

Ipods

, etc are plugged into a given channel on the mixer

From there, the sound source can be mixed and monitored via the headphones using the knobs, faders, switches and buttons

More controls such as a balance knob, built-in sound effects and aux-sends for external effects units.

Function and ControlsSlide19

ExampleSlide20

Electronic instrument with the ability to produce sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequenciesDJ’s use during performances today using MIDI controllers

Modern digital synthesizers use frequency synthesizer microprocessors to generate signals of different frequenciesWhile most bass synths are controlled by electronic keyboards or pedalboards, some performers use an electric bass with MIDI pickups to trigger a bass synthesizer.

SynthesizersSlide21

Video of a Professional DJ performance

Conclusion