DJ Fined €1.4M for using pirate music files

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

QUOTE

MP3 quality is what you choose

 

any MP3 compression is lossy........

 

and if the public want to hire a juke box then thats fine by me but im sticking to being a DJ and I decied what gets played next......

[Gary 0]

There are some parts that I agree with in the above discussion (it was never an argument - Mothers union type, or any other type for that matter) and some parts that I don't. Parts of it came across as "my way is best for everyone, and thats that", although I suspect that you were trying to get across the idea of "my way works best for me..." http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

 

QUOTE

MP3 quality is what you choose!  If you choose 32kb then it won't be good quality,

Although some MP3 rates are poor, the higher MP3 rates eg: 192kbps and higher do not give the audience ANY indication that the track is "just" an MP3. By the time the signals gone through all the other bits and pieces of kit and out through the speakers, a lop sided stereo distance across a seething dancefloor and then through alcohol influenced ears, audiophile quality simply isnt needed.

 

QUOTE

How many party goers actually care about how you play your music?  All they care about is the music.

Agreed. We all agree with that I would imagine. This is why it mystifies me sometimes that new DJ's will spend £1500 on a lighting rig, yet only £500 on speakers/amps, £25 on a mic - and £25 in drinks for a ripped hard-drive of 20,000 tracks from the local DJ emporium.

 

QUOTE

so they won't be happy at people spending hours to find a track.

I can locate any of the popular tracks in my CD/vinyl collection in far less than that - I'm using a PDA database to keep JUST my Artist name/Track name/album details to hand now, but even before that - because I'd built my entire collection up a few albums at a time, I know my way around my collection well. If the whole ripping situation ever gets legal - I might consider a hard drive solution but not a laptop or PC for my lesser used tracks, in the future. I've never had anyone complain about their requests being slow to be found - or compare my search times to that of a radio station.

Edited February 22, 2005 by Gary

[partychris 0]

I dont use a laptop because i like the hands on approach and the panic of 30seconds left with no cd in the other player !! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

 

But i agree to MP3's but only on a pay per tune site not to download for free, the reason for this

 

1) if i need a tune when the shops are closed or i dont have time to get to the shops then i can download it.

2) i would rather pay 95p than £6 for the same tune on vinyl or £3 on cd for loads of mixes and a video clip that i do not need, this way i can pick and choose what mixes i do need !

 

dont get me wrong i still buy loads of cd's each week and will continue to do so, but i think its all down to the pricing of cd singles, as i said in point 2.

I would much rather pay 99p just for a 1 track cd single(like the good ole 45's !).. or just find it on a compliation cd album for about £5-£6 more ! and get 20plus more tracks.

[Danno13 0]

QUOTE

and if the public want to hire a juke box then thats fine by me but im sticking to being a DJ and I decied what gets played next......

 

Just because you use a PC it doesn't make you a jukebox.. like someone said above, I use my PC like i would CD players, the only difference being that i can line up songs to be played in advance, of course i still have to choose the right music - no PC can do that for you!

 

It annoys me how a lot of people seem to judge PCDJ-ers on mabye one or two bad DJs they've seen who stick a pre-made playlist on and go and sit at the bar. In reality the only time i use a playlist is for backgound music, which is exactlty the same as if you just stuck one cd on and left it.. apart from i can mix and match any artist/style i like depending on the occasion.

 

You've got to admit there are numerous advantages to using a PC and providing your not just leaving the PC to do all the work then i don't see how anyone can see it as cheating!

 

And.. for those who like the hands on approach, i suggest using PCDJ with one of the dedicated hardware controllers.. this makes it exactly like using CD players!

[Dukesy 0]

If the future is now - welcome to the future.

 

QUOTE

And.. for those who like the hands on approach, i suggest using PCDJ with one of the dedicated hardware controllers.. this makes it exactly like using CD players!

 

No - in some respects, it is better than operating CD players - but like any system, it's only as good as the user operating!

 

Being unique presenters of mobile discos reflects individuality and then some.

 

Just because a DJ fades in tracks doesn't mean they are any less of a DJ than one who can beat mix, and the same 'ideals' should be looked into when one DJ uses vinyl to that of CD or other digital media, or one DJ uses a mic and another does not, etc, etc, etc.

 

Each to their own, eh?

 

We must acknowledge that we are in an age of ongoing technology development where various types of media format and playback devices are going to be introduced. Behold - the wheel is going to be re-invented a few times. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

[Hugmaster 0]

Hi

 

This "my way is better than your way" is getting as bad as the "my path to god is better than your path to god" arguments that have been rumbling on for centuries, and to be honest, just as pointless.

 

The variety of formats are all equally as valid. club DJ's quite rightly like their vynel but it's not as appropriate for moble use as most of the party tunes probably won't be available on vynel in any case.

 

CD's, a compact medium that will take a little more rough handling than vynel.

 

MP3, provided songs are downloaded legally or ripped at an appropriate quality for the purpose, an excellent medium. Software makes it possible to find tracks within a couple of seconds and more time can be spent interacting with the crowd rather than bent over your CD cases looking for Mr Obscure Track.

 

I've been using a laptop alongside CD for a few months now, and I'm sorry but even playing songs back to back, moving from mp3 to CD I notice no difference in quality whatsoever.

 

And no one has called me a cheat for using a laptop or said I'm not really a DJ.

 

At the end of the day, you're their to entertain a crowd, whatever tools you use to make it happen should be your choice and no DJ should be slammed for their choice, provided it's of a professional standard.

 

All this holier than thou attitude regarding wich tools are best is quite frankly getting on my wick.

 

We're all here to do the same job, and we'll only be taken seriously as professionals if we back each other up, not bicker amongst ourselves.

 

I don't use vynel because it's totally inappropriate for my situation, but I wouldn't dream of putting down a club DJ that uses vynel, in fact I'm totally amazed at some of the mixing I hear from a good club DJ.

 

So I would ask for the same amount of respect coming back please.

 

Right that's my rant over.

 

Darren

[johny k 0]

going back to that dj in italy if you look into the story he was in poseccion of illegal mp3s dvds and videos as he was playing it on a big screen, heard a rumour also some was of a porn nature . so look at the facts not only was he charging big money to play in top clubs but he was also selling it as'well so that fine was probably just a pittance of what he was making i rest my case

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

This "my way is better than your way" is getting as bad as the "my path to god is better than your path to god" All this holier than thou attitude regarding wich tools are best is quite frankly getting on my wick. We're all here to do the same job, and we'll only be taken seriously as professionals if we back each other up, not bicker amongst ourselves.

 

 

 

Agreed, let's keep the debate on a professional level. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and to defend their right use a certain media in persuit of their career but let's do it constructively without having to resort to making statements which may question an individuals professionalism or become personal / offensive.

[Jimbo55 0]

Reality Check

 

Converting cd to mp3 is illegal.

Downloading paid for mp3 is legal.

 

Dj use of mp3 or other format wma etc is illegal. Even using legally downloaded mp3 is a grey area.

 

Cd's are a digital medium, mp3 is a digital medium. Mp3 compression is based on algorithims that remove the bits we cant hear because it is masked by louder parts of the music being recorded (simplified explanation). It can be recorded at various levels of compression

 

Digital formats are easier to use and store

 

Analogue tape is dead. Dat tape (digital) use is mainly professional

 

Mini disc ....? giging musicans first choice.

 

CD is dying DVD is making larger inroads into the music/video market.

Vinyl is getting rarer.

 

Using vinyl is an art form (when done well) heavy and must be looked after.

Using Cd (Original) is an art form (when done well) easy to store

Using mp3 is an art form (when done well) and is very easy to use and is also illegal.

The use of mp3 is getting greater. Like it or not the world is going digital.

 

Dj's can use vinyl or cd

 

The various manufacturers that temp us with pc based or hard drive based mp3 players are encouraging us to break the law.

 

Every Dj has a right to choose how he/she runs the show subject to customer needs. Every DJ has his/her own professional standards. Provided that the legalities are taken care of so what, if its good then people will re book if not.....

 

We all break the law at one time or other. In the UK it is hard not, to there are so many laws it is unreal, just read the papers http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

 

We have a choice wether we do or not, but as the statement goes " ignorance of the law is no defence".

 

The mobile DJ scene is going through change. Health and Safety is doing that, NOT the music industry. . The venues are increasingly under pressure from legislation to get things right. PLI and PAT are leading the way.

 

If you do open door gigs pubs clubs etc you may get a visit from MCPS.

 

If you do family do's they are private.

 

Anyone else care to add?

 

Jimbo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kingy 0]

I personally dont care what format I use. I do not use a laptop because of the potential illegality of it. Simple as.

 

In the days when i exclusively used vinyl, i never dreamed I would ever use Cds.

 

Then it simply became a mission to go down the CD route and finally say bye bye to the discs. Mainly due to the ease of cueing tracks etc, and I have been exclusively a Denon man since the start of my transgresion.

 

IF, and note its a big IF, there ever comes a day where i can be A) absolutely certain about the reliability and my own technical knowledge of the lap top AND B) there is no doubt about the legal position, I will happily convert to playback via computer.

 

I dont see any difference to the medium used as long as its still ME that the public ask for.

 

However having said that, my MAJOR gripe about this topic is the "DJs" that see this industry as a way of making a living without any ( or very little ) expence.

When you see Guys out there with a "Ready bought" Cd collection on their laptop that they have got from a mate for £XX, that really P*sses me off BIG TIME.

 

I have already stated in previous posts that anyone is welcome to come and browse through my collection anywhere I am working. I have no illegal copies, yet own virtually everything that DMC and Mastermix have done. This has cost me thousands, literally thousands of pounds. Mates of mine think I am mad carrying the originals around. They ask why not make copies and file the originals? My answer, simple, Its illegal.

 

I look at it like this, I use the originals, which if they are nicked, I have to replace. That would be a business expence and the tax man doesn't get that cash.

 

Once again I ask, if you employ a mechanic to service your car, would you like him to use original parts or copies? You choose.

 

As for media.......thats my views!

 

PS: I sometimes think I would like to do a retro night on vinyl just for the nostalgia trip!!

[HopDJ 0]

QUOTE (partychris @ Feb 22 2005, 12:43 PM)

1) if i need a tune when the shops are closed or i dont have time to get to the shops then i can download it.

True, but what about when the shops are out of stock? Woolworths is the only shop in my town that even bothers to stock singles. So if they are out of stock, it's a 10 minute journey one way, or 15 minute the other way, both being another Woolworth's store. Perhaps the music industry should look into why people download? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

 

I personnaly don't like downloading tracks for the DJing, I only do it to sample tracks before I go and buy a CD.

 

I believe that DJs should be able to play using all formats, otherwise you aren't as versatile. I have taken it upon myself to learn how to use vinyl, and can do so without many problems. However, finding and storing them is a tricky business. At the hospital radio, the majority of the storage area is devoted to vinyl, yet most of the music actually comes from CDs, because they are much more compact.

 

As for the "jukebox" idea, what nonesense. There have been moments when there have only been a few seconds left of a song, with nothing else cued up. In those situations, there would have been a pause in the music whilst I found another CD. However, the speed of the computers meant I was able to chooseand start playing the next song within seconds.

 

I totally agree with Darren, that some of the mixing abilities I'm in awe of. When I listen to the Radio 1 DJs of a weekend evening, I totally respect them. But they don't go round having digs at the other DJs for using computers, because the others are there to entertain, not just mix. So it's 2 different skills. Ones who want to mix, use vinyl/cd, those who care more about entertaining than mixing will use CDs/computers. (I'm not implying that mixing DJs are boring when I say "entertain")

[Jimbo55 0]

Would I use mp3's if it was legal............. in a second. They are so much easier to use. I would still use a hands on mixer. Mixing with mouse clicks does not feel right to me.

 

Jimbo