What’s your format?

Our boy Mario had some interesting thoughts on the digital vs vinyl discussion. It seems the days of the pure vinyl DJ may be numbered, although I'm sure one Joe Nice would disagree with this. (DUBPLATES BABY) Check it.

What’s your format?

With the push in technology, vinyl enthusiasts can't help but notice the ever increasing inimitability of the thick filling analog sound. The digital era of files (mp3’s, WAV’s etc.) has made it much easier to create, copy, share and transport our music. Crate digging has been converted to digital digging; and although the fundamental process is the same, a few things begin to change in the way music is handled.

For instance; going to your local record shop and actually physically becoming part of the whole process of the music culture. What happened to those nice LP 12”x12” art covers? They’re still around, but for how long? Just another question to pose as our dj culture takes a bend. The whole tactile process seems to be changing (pliability (especially for turntabalists)); and for me, a very subjective experience. A vinyl enthusiast may walk in to a club with a 50lb bag of records, get there, and realize that there’s only a pair of CDJ’s and a mixer to work with; and with various programs and media mixers, the cd also faces the thought of possible extinction. This can also make DJ’s more adaptable as to what they carry and what formats they can play with. There are many arguable advantages to the “digital switch”.

Amongst the changes we have the mass production and efficiency to think about with resources (vinyl). Of course we have the debate and preference of the sound change from analog to digital. This can be argued. Many artists that also create music for vinyl dj’s run in to the problem of waiting for music to be pressed to vinyl, creating a whole new dynamic of what’s available. As someone who rides the soul waves of sound, it’s wonderful to have new music available. Whether you’re at home, in your car, in a studio recording, or in a club…or wherever you may be that you can appreciate music, no matter the format; we will continue to carry the essence of the soul through sound.

-mario nieto