Ok To Dj With - Confusing Description

[Pete S]

Bugs me a bit so I very rarely use it, a record has background noise or clicks but it "ok to dj with". So when you dj with it, do the ba ckground noises and click suddenly disappear as if by magic or something?

[Chalky]

I hate the term Pete, it makes it sound as if it is ok to Dj with f*cked or second rate records and that the punters will put up with any old crap.

[Guest]

Bugs me a bit so I very rarely use it, a record has background noise or clicks but it "ok to dj with". So when you dj with it, do the ba ckground noises and click suddenly disappear as if by magic or something?

if it has that in description Pete, I won't touch em

i've bought too many described as 'ok to dj with' and after one spin at home wouldn't put it on the decks again fear of knackering the stylus, let alone trying to play them out

[Epic]

If a record is "goosed" playing it loudly in a club only amplifies that fact ! If it doesn't sound good at home it ain't going to sound any better over a large sound system - just play it off CD & be done with it .

[Russell F]

I have had records that were full of hiss and background when played at home but when played

on good decks have sounded perfect, so i think it also depends on the quality of decks you play them on.

[Benji]

So when you dj with it, do the ba ckground noises and click suddenly disappear as if by magic or something?

Actually, that's right in a sort of way. Minor clicks and to a degree background noises 'disappear' when played out loud. Has something to do with the speakers set up in the clubs.

If a record is "goosed" playing it loudly in a club only amplifies that fact !

Basically, you're wrong. Unless the record features really heavy scratches or jumps, then you're right.

Hi Pete,

Or maybe it's a term used to describe a record that may not meet the strict criteria of a collector but is acceptable to guys who are DJ'ing and may not want a minter to play out, certain records just seem impossible to turn up in real nice order anyway, I've often seen guys asking for copies good enough to play out only! Just a thought sir.

Best,

Paul

That just about sums it up.

Maybe worth adding that I'd never use a minter to dj with, it can only ruin or wear out the vinyl and after your set you end up with a (ex-) minter. When I was dj'ing regularly I bought loads of records with either worn/waterdamaged label and/or in VG-/VG condition only. They're much much cheaper and absolutely fine to play out loud.

[Sebastian]

So when you dj with it, do the ba ckground noises and click suddenly disappear as if by magic or something?

No, the records still sound like crap but high frequency hearing (treble) is one the first things that goes out the window when drinking alcohol.

Most hiss, clicks and pops are in the upper/treble region of the frequency scale (5-20 kHz) hence they don't annoy you as much after drinking a couple of beers.

I guess that's where "ok to dj with" comes from...

Edited February 21, 2010 by Sebastian

[Mace]

Most sound systems in Northern events are piss poor to begin with, so you never notice VG records played over 'em anyway!

Once heard Dave Evison play something really crackly & hissy and then announce it was recorded in a downtown Detroit chip shop.....

[burt weedon]

loads ov baassseeee......n talk ova the cracks.....works.......

[grant]

Most sound systems in Northern events are piss poor to begin with, so you never notice VG records played over 'em anyway!

Once heard Dave Evison play something really crackly & hissy and then announce it was recorded in a downtown Detroit chip shop.....

heard bernie williams and billy woods played out a few weeks back, both originals but both sounded like they were being fried in a downtown chippie

[Epic]

[quote name='Benji'

Basically, you're wrong. Unless the record features really heavy scratches or jumps, then you're right.

I'm quite often wrong about being right but seldom right about being wrong ..................glad we've cleared that up then.

[KevH]

Basically,if the record is dog rare and it hisses, pops and has a crack in it - its ok to dj with.

If its a ten quidder with the same pops and farts,you'd get publicly flogged.

[burt weedon]

AINT DAT THE TRUTH...

[paultp]

To me, OK to DJ with means it plays OK and sounds great when played out, the odd pop and crackle doesn't really matter over a loud system.

But if you are the sort of collector that wants perfect labels and no marks on the vinyl an "OK to DJ with" grade immediately rules out the purchase - no need to ask "how VG++ is it?"

Looking at it another way; I wouldn't want to DJ with absolutely mint records as regular play on other peoples' decks would just knacker them anyway.

Anyone else been faced with a 10p piece taped to the head shell? Had me umming and aahing with my Jock Mitchell I can tell you!

Anyway, at least you know "OK to DJ with" records are originals.

[Glynthornhill]

Most sound systems in Northern events are piss poor to begin with, so you never notice VG records played over 'em anyway!

Not always true sometimes its the actual recorded quality of the vinyl that was sadly lacking on small label productions in the 60s early 70s period. - just compare some sound qualities to the better known labels for examples....