The simplicity of scratching:
Turntable, mixer, sample vinyl, beat.
Have fun today.
– Short-E
You only really need those 4 things above to be fully engaged in the art of scratching.
Today there is so much equipment out there, so many new features that it is easy to lose track of the simple art of scratching.
When this happens to me, I go back to basics.
Think enjoyment. Simple fun. Pleasure.
Why not enjoy a simple baby scratch, or a simple chirp scratch? Remember why you fell in love with scratching in the first place. Have some fun!
I think of this like a guitarist who has a world of amps, pedals and effects at their fingertips. Unplugging, taking an acoustic, sitting on the beach and playing. Playing for the pure fun of it.
Shut off the screen and enjoy some analog scratching for a change.
Serato and Traktor are awesome tools that have made it easier than ever to switch between beats and loops and insert cue points, effects and a million other new features. This is great and makes for some very creative music. However don’t loose sight of the simple art of scratching. Turntable, mixer, sample vinyl and beat.
Until next time…
Happy Scratching! 😀
– Short-E
Great post. Being new to vinyl and mixing in general, I find myself navigating to a purity. I have traktor and I have one turntable. I try to beat match from vinyl to mp3 and back just practice and play… its hard. Scratching even harder. It shows that craft ALWAYS trumps access to tech.
Hey Jeffrey, thanks for visiting the site and sharing your thoughts. Keep on crafting!
I agree with this article, i use 2 M5Gs and basic 2 channel mixer equipped with an Innofader PRO, thats it. When im in the mood for scratching it just takes a few secs to put on the system, no DVS needed. No laptop. Sometimes i scratch only for a few minutes a day..just to release some stress from the daytime job and the crowded city. Scratching is like a therapy in a way. Most people have no idea but fellow scratch DJs know what im saying.
Thats really cool Jeff, thanks for sharing. A few minutes is all it takes!
I bought 2 technics 1210mk2 and dj tech dif-1s. i have some acapella vinyls but i don’t have needles 🙁 so i can’t start to scratch. 2 technics! one of them has a reloop needle and it’s useless and other onee hasn’t a needle. it means i have one chance to play beat or scratch 😀 ofcourse i choose to scratch but it’s almost impossible with that f.ckin’ needle. i need to buy shure m44-7 but i live in turkey and there is nowhere you can buy turntable needle 🙁 also my technics has some problems like tone arm and maybe some issues with their direct drive motors 🙁 but i don’t give up! i believe that one day i’ll have enough properties for scratching 😀
Maybe you can buy a shure m447 online? Don’t give up, you will have the gear soon enough I am sure!