Ableton Live

I've heard nothing but rave reviews from anyone that has used it... there's a thread down the page\next page about it - Tongy has started using it too - it's looks like it's the way forward by the looks of things but as a purist myself I think you've gotta be able to mix with decks first... what happens when the technology fails! I've read interviews with Sasha and he has on a number of times had to go back to the CDJ's! This all said I've just had my copy of it arrive and looking forward to trying it out when I get my controller through, Sasha's had his own controller built especially for him marvin or something like that.
 
jamesthemonkeh said:
What are people's opinions on this? Next level djing, or ruining the art?
Has anyone used it themselves to DJ or produce?
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I bought it a couple of months ago, haven't really spent enough time with it yet. I'd definitely say it's the next level of deejaying, lots of people seem to think that beatmixing is what deejaying is all about. In reality it's just a tiny aspect of deejaying, although, particularly in house music, it's an important aspect as sets are usually beatmixed all night long.

I've noticed (in Ibiza) in the last 2-3 years a change in the way big name deejays work. 3 years ago you'd often find a deejay playing his whole set from vinyl i.e. playing records from mainly one end to the other, with just a little tinkering with samples, etc. Frankie Knuckles in Pacha springs to mind. 2 years ago I noticed a big shift towards using CDs, more than half the big names were using them (which was previously taboo). Thats when deejays started getting creative by making their own chopped, sliced & diced CDs in the studio at home before introducing them into their sets. Last year I don't remember seeing any deejays using vinyl at all, everyone was on CDs including old school guys like Frankie Knuckles and Roger Sanchez.

Abelton can be part of this creative process with CDs in the studio. But further, Abelton can chop, slice & dice tunes 'live' onstage meaning that the creative process is happening right in front of the audience which, to me, is an 'art' in itself. It blurs the distinction between DJ, songwriter, producer and is definitely the way forward. The name DJ doesn't really fit as these people are more 'artists' and people are still looking for a suitable 'label'. It won't change the traditional DJ down your local pub or mobile/wedding/corporate function DJ, but, for the big gigs 'at the cutting edge' you are going to see more and more big names using this to present their sets. Most people know that Sasha and Richie Hawtin are pioneers with this setup, but, I've noticed on the Abelton forums that their are a number of grass roots club deejays in America that are doing the rounds of the clubs using Abelton (and its becoming more and more accepted by club owners/managers).

Currently I'm experimenting with it. I've been using computers to DJ with for over 7 years, but, more in the traditional sense. I also use traditional vinyl and will eventual try short sets with Abelton knowing that I can revert to vinyl at any time. I will also be using it for song writing/producing/remixing.

These are exciting times and, to me, its great to embrace what truly is 'The Digital Revolution'. 8)
 
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