DJing has always been about innovation. It all started with Thomas Edison, the first person to develop the first phonograph player, to Jimmy Savile, the first ever DJ to use 2 turntables for non-stop mixes. Since then DJ’s like Kool Herc and Frand Wizard Theodore have taken turntablism to an art form by using dual decks and a mixer as a musical instrument.

Today, the format keeps changing… With systems such as Serato Scratch allowing you to cue up mp3’s so mobile deejays no longer have to break their back carrying crates of expensive vinyl, a DJ can now have their whole set on a USB drive. Loops, samples, and mashups are easily created on the fly.

Introducing… The Veejay.

With channels such as MTV (or what used to be of the real MTV) the term Video Jockey is nothing new. Of course all they did was host the show and let you know which video will play next. The real VJ’s are the ones who are out at clubs beat matching, scratching, looping, mashing, and sampling video clips on large screens to go along with whatever is bumpin’ through the speakers (you probably have seen this in Vegas). The days of record pools have even changed with offerings of mp3 downloads and the latest music videos on DVD.

So what’s next?

Completely digital turntables you say? Here’s the ATTIGO TT, some touchscreen turntables I discovered (via psfk & geekologie).

Although they look cool, I doubt any DJ’s used to the feel of their 1200’s will jump on it anytime soon.

The Future

The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia seems to get this and collaborated with a few people to take touchscreen turntables to the next step using a tactile platter. (via the cool hunter)

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