Real DJs Use Sync.

Get ready for an epic showdown as we delve into the highly controversial topic of beat sync in DJing. Does beat syncing strip DJs of their artistic talents, or does it unleash unlimited creative possibilities? This argument has been raging on for years, so it's time to look at the truths, and myths around beat sync and how it affects YOU as a DJ.

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[Minoritynomad]

Use the technology at hand to it's fullest ability while having the skills to survive if something goes wrong. Simple.

[DJTeddyJetts]

You have quickly become my favorite DJ channel. Super under rated and I cant wait for the algorithm to treat you correctly. The dry humor is so on point and well balanced. And the information is actually valuable and not overly nuanced. Even though I already know most of what you teach, I still watch your videos 2 or 3 times just to appreciate the editing and humor. Please dont stop. Ive seen channels completely explode after an extended underrated period. Your content is so good and I can totally see every video blowing up all at once. I'm gonna keep commenting and liking and do my part to help.

[shlomishanti]

You spit out straight facts. I started DJing about 20 years ago.
We had no anything, No Key no grid no nothing. Everything by ear. I use whatever tech I have available in order to get more creative and everyone should do so. Love the vid!!!!

[dreammix]

To answer the question, i started DJing in 1981 with those old disco records that were really a pain in the butt to think up because some of them were played by real drummers instead of drum machines. So you learned to keep your finger on the record and keep it in sync. My middle finger was my beat sing finger. But if I have a sync button then why not use it?

[vangoghskye]

I'll tell you, I dont use sync because that makes djing boring for me. I actually like matching the beats together myself. I feel more connected to the music I play.

[gabrielcastlebary]

Sync was how I got into DJing in the first place using a computer and Virtual DJ. It's easy to recognize the importance of being able to beat match when things don't work out perfectly. But since I got into DJing years ago with the advent of sync and computer analyzed beat grids, I view it as a tool that, when appropriately used, gives you creative freedom to do more interesting things with your mixes.

Cheers, and great video m8

[diagg]

Hi Chris, I'm in the sync cru. Having heard this controversy since the rise of CDJ/controllers, it's great to see more and more dj's doing their “coming out” on this topic. What amazes me the most is the fact that on both sides everyone agrees that djing is all about music selection and making people dance, but some still act like there is only one way to do it properly... It sounds like having a washing machine but forcing everyone in the house to wash their clothes by hand just because "real dudes do it"! It all sounds like a conservative vs progressive debate, driven by fearing the former being replaced by the latter.

[TwinCityShredder]

Learned on vinyl, and switch to Traktor Scratch on day 1, and to this day I have never used sync. The issue with it's introduction, was for companies to make more profit by selling gear that anyone can use. We used to joke about Auto-tune being directly in the microphone, 20 years ago. However, using Sync not only removes one of the "hands on" elements of the art of DJing, but it closed the gap on who was more talented, while ruining the crowds ability to pick up on what makes a talented DJ special.

Nowadays, programs can select you a DJ set, and put it in key, where if you haven't had the privilege of training your ears to recognize this, then you are limiting yourself and your abilities right off the start.

This is why I can personally walk up to anyone's laptop or record bin, and jam out with their music with no audible errors beyond the human element. Many, many people who rely on sync could not do the same.

When you buy a sports car and it's an automatic, it's because it's for everybody to drive, where a manual transmission is for the elitist.

[djkamnz]

I'm a lot like you - over 20 years experience, learning on vinyl. But the biggest reason I use sync these days is because so many gigs don't have proper booth monitors anymore! Headphone mixing can sound sketchy depending on the venue, so sync comes in clutch

[TKCEDM]

Yeah, I hate the whole argument against Sync. One thing I really value in my sets is having amazing energy that infects the crowd, and so the less time I spend preparing my next track, the more time I can spend interacting and giving off my energy to the listener.

[harrycragg]

I’ve changed the settings in Rekordbox to BPM Sync. It doesn’t match up the beat grids and I still have to beat match manually. I find this allows me to have a lot more time on the mixer using all 4 decks on my DDJ-RZ, instead of having to fiddle with those notoriously difficult pitch sliders!

[ВладимирОлейников-гг]

The sauce and rice analogy is great. There's so much stuff you can do to elevate your set and connect with the audience, it just feels so wasteful to spend your precious time on something like this. Plus, sending your BPM readout to your light technician/VJ turns them from a tap-tempo-pressing monkey to a performer who now suddenly has time and attention to make the visuals pop just that much better. Love the clarity you've brought to the discussion. Cheers!

[BeachLookingGuy]

Anyone complaining about the sync button probably hasn’t mixed music for the last 15 years

[KeyFur_NYC]

Im still pretty new to Dj'ing and I found it odd that established DJ friends of mine gave me a hard time for NOT using beat sync. I just told them the two main reasons I didnt like using beat sync is that I tend to use a wide range of styles when practicing at home from Punk/ska, metal, house, DnB, indie rock, etc, so beat sync is more of a choir at that point than it is helpful. And the second reason is I wanted to learn to really beat match on my own before using a tool made to do it. Its the same approach I use when learning any new skill like when I taught myself SQL, I did it in a terminal window and not a IDE. But once I did move to the IDE it was so easy to build a database and filter records it was almost laughable

[Shivaxi]

huge vid, earned a sub, and agree with pretty much every point. I do the ol' manual beat match by looking at the designated tempo my CDJ's or Traktor tells me, then quickly go by ear, but mostly only because I find it easier and fast to beat match the way I enjoy. The actual beat sync button seems to be fairly off a LOT of the time, so I just don't bother with it haha.

[GrimJ]

When I started I wouldn’t use it but two of the guys helping me out both said “learn to use everything on the deck”

[Roc.stars]

I think I’m so efficient at beat matching I really never have to use sync 🤷🏽‍♂️ but big up you who do ✌🏼

[daniel_unique]

I started DJing 25 years ago, I'm so glad that I learned to beat match manually and learned the structure of the music to know where to start the next track so the track build up and die down at the same point. but having just got back into DJing with all the fancy features to speed up the beatmatching and make it perfect means that I can spend more time on transitions and have more fun with that that spending all the track beatmatching. I haven't used the the beatsync button yet but not totally opposed to it to save a car crash mix from happening

[mufcmusic]

THE WORLD HAS BECOME LAZY DUE TO TECHNOLOGY AND TALENT IS NO LONGER A THING.

[djerikfox]

...Im a pro deejay for 30 years playing and mixing from a cassette deck to turntables to cd's and now on a controller and I often use sync..?why?because its 2023, the technology is allowing me to be focused on more important things than sync, like choosing a next good song, making a good drop or transition....the technology today is just amazing...I wish we had this 30 years ago...