Visual Scratch

October 27, 2006 7:20 AM

Got crabs?Well, if you're going to scratch, then do it with flare. But everyone has to start with baby steps.

Jesse Kriss has created an engaging visualization, synchronized with video of DJ Axel Foley, to illuminate the mechanics of cutting and scratching. J to the motherfucking K, homeboy.
posted by e.e. coli (12 comments total)

That's awesome!

That would be an absolutely incredible tool for learning how to scratch. Being able to actually see what you're doing and compare it to another dj.
posted by empath at 7:35 AM on October 27, 2006

That History of Sampling visualization is also kinda neat. Thanks.
posted by mediareport at 7:36 AM on October 27, 2006

A to the muthafuckin K.
posted by spicynuts at 7:46 AM on October 27, 2006

crabbing (and most other types of scratching) is much, much easier on mixers with adjustable crossfader curves. i suddenly was able to crab once i got a ttm-56.
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 7:53 AM on October 27, 2006

Yeah you need a very steep curve, so a very slight motion cuts the sound completely. I never use the crossfader when I mix, just the channel faders. Mostly because scratching over trance usually sucks.
posted by empath at 7:56 AM on October 27, 2006

Very cool tool and toy, but I'm not feeling DJ Axel Foley's flow. It's not very musical, melodic or even well-formed.

Granted, he might do better with a beat to work with, but damn, show some style or substance or something. This is supposed to be a demo, right? Don't be uninspiring, then!

As someone who has been DJing for 15+ years, I cringe heavily when turntablism is reduced to disconnected technicalities like how fast someone can flare or crab. Hey, cool, you can ping-pong with your elbows. Behind your back, too! Impressive. But can you dance to it?
posted by loquacious at 8:17 AM on October 27, 2006

loquacious, I hear what you're saying, but it's a bit like observing that the subject of Muybridge photograph isn't playing tennis to win. The point of the visualization in question is precisely to illuminate the "disconnected technicalities". Anyway, maybe Jesse Kriss can instrument you if you contact him, and you can put your back into it.
posted by e.e. coli at 8:52 AM on October 27, 2006

That's pretty cool. Thanks.
posted by OmieWise at 8:52 AM on October 27, 2006

loquacious - I'm not sure I entirely understand the description, but I don't think we're hearing what Mr. Foley is doing: The scratching sound is generated in Max/MSP.
posted by jack_mo at 9:13 AM on October 27, 2006

jack_mo: Ah, that makes more sense, now. There was something bugging my ears and eyes and the disconnect thereof.
posted by loquacious at 9:25 AM on October 27, 2006

This is great, no matter how it's put together. I've been a radio DJ for a long time (a radically different form of DJing) and I've always wondered how some of those sounds are accomplished. It's still pretty amazing even when you see how it's done.

wikki wikki fresssssssssshhhhhhhh
posted by 40 Watt at 1:56 PM on October 27, 2006

"Is there any other sound you guys could scratch besides FRESH?"

cool post, thanks!
posted by Dean King at 5:17 PM on October 27, 2006