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ARTICLE
Personally, I have a unique appreciation for the game-changing solutions available in today’s DJ software. I began my DJing journey in the mid-80s, a time when the art of DJing was vastly different from what it is today. Back then, we only had pitch control to rely on.
There were no laptops, desktop monitors or sophisticated software to visualise soundwaves to assist in seamlessly mixing tracks. Using the sync button certainly simplifies the process, but my experience from the pre-digital era gives me a profound respect for the craft and the tools we now have at our disposal.
The history of the sync button on DJ controllers is a fascinating journey that reflects the broader evolution of technology in the DJing world.
The 1990s brought significant changes with the introduction of CDJs – or CD players designed for DJs – by companies like Pioneer. While these devices made it easier to handle and transport music, beatmatching still depended on the DJ’s manual adjustments.
The true revolution began in the early 2000s with the advent of digital audio formats and the introduction of DJ software like Traktor (by Native Instruments) and Serato DJ. These programs allowed DJs to use digital music files, offering advanced tools for managing and manipulating tracks.
In 2004, Traktor DJ Studio 2.6 introduced a groundbreaking feature: the ability to automatically synchronise the tempo and phase of two tracks. This marked the emergence of the sync button, which allowed DJs to match beats at the press of a button – a feature that was quickly adopted by other DJ software. Serato Scratch Live, initially focused on replicating the vinyl experience, soon integrated sync features in response to this growing trend.
The late 2000s and early 2010s saw the sync button become a standard feature on most DJ controllers, including popular models from brands like Pioneer DJ, Numark, Rane and Denon. These controllers enabled DJs to focus more on the creative aspects of their performances, such as applying effects and crafting complex transitions, rather than spending time on beatmatching. A notable example is the 2011 release of Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-SX, a controller that seamlessly integrated with Serato DJ and prominently featured a sync button.
Technological advancements in the 2010s made the sync function more accurate and reliable. Enhanced software algorithms ensured that the sync button could align beats perfectly, even in complex mixing scenarios. The release of Traktor Pro 2.6.1 in 2013 further advanced sync capabilities, allowing synchronisation with external MIDI clock signals, which increased flexibility and precision in performances.
Before we explore some of the arguments in favour of the sync button, let’s look at some of the arguments against it:
Skill and craftsmanship: Traditionalists argue...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full interactive access to this and the last year of magazines via the Pro Mobile Magazine App which is available from both the Apple App Store and Android PlayStore
There were no laptops, desktop monitors or sophisticated software to visualise soundwaves to assist in seamlessly mixing tracks. Using the sync button certainly simplifies the process, but my experience from the pre-digital era gives me a profound respect for the craft and the tools we now have at our disposal.
The history of the sync button on DJ controllers is a fascinating journey that reflects the broader evolution of technology in the DJing world.
The 1990s brought significant changes with the introduction of CDJs – or CD players designed for DJs – by companies like Pioneer. While these devices made it easier to handle and transport music, beatmatching still depended on the DJ’s manual adjustments.
The true revolution began in the early 2000s with the advent of digital audio formats and the introduction of DJ software like Traktor (by Native Instruments) and Serato DJ. These programs allowed DJs to use digital music files, offering advanced tools for managing and manipulating tracks.
In 2004, Traktor DJ Studio 2.6 introduced a groundbreaking feature: the ability to automatically synchronise the tempo and phase of two tracks. This marked the emergence of the sync button, which allowed DJs to match beats at the press of a button – a feature that was quickly adopted by other DJ software. Serato Scratch Live, initially focused on replicating the vinyl experience, soon integrated sync features in response to this growing trend.
The late 2000s and early 2010s saw the sync button become a standard feature on most DJ controllers, including popular models from brands like Pioneer DJ, Numark, Rane and Denon. These controllers enabled DJs to focus more on the creative aspects of their performances, such as applying effects and crafting complex transitions, rather than spending time on beatmatching. A notable example is the 2011 release of Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-SX, a controller that seamlessly integrated with Serato DJ and prominently featured a sync button.
Technological advancements in the 2010s made the sync function more accurate and reliable. Enhanced software algorithms ensured that the sync button could align beats perfectly, even in complex mixing scenarios. The release of Traktor Pro 2.6.1 in 2013 further advanced sync capabilities, allowing synchronisation with external MIDI clock signals, which increased flexibility and precision in performances.
Before we explore some of the arguments in favour of the sync button, let’s look at some of the arguments against it:
Skill and craftsmanship: Traditionalists argue...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full interactive access to this and the last year of magazines via the Pro Mobile Magazine App which is available from both the Apple App Store and Android PlayStore
The full review can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 126, Pages 66-68.
