The debate about the merits of vinyl has been ongoing for a number of years now. On the one hand, vinyl has been purported to be of the best sound quality when compared to digital formats. On the other hand, it is also cumbersome and has claimed responsibility for a lot of backaches suffered by disc jockeys carrying record in milk carton crates back in the day. Mainstream America has gone away from the vinyl format, placing it a virtual “obsolete” status. Fortunately for me there are still a handful of record shops in operation where I can purchase vinyl records. I no longer have a position or a pro/con side in the debate over vinyl. This is because I currently spin music using vinyl records + compact discs. However, I am still holding to the position of refusing to ‘upgrade’ to Serato, Vinyl Scratch, or any other digital DJ technologies. This is not an act of rebellion against advancement of technology, nor is this a stubborn display of the need to be different (although I am fully capable of non-conformance). Rather, it is contentment with my music library format. Psychologically speaking I am a “visual/kinesthetic” learner-performer, meaning I have to see/touch. This also translates to my level of comfort when I spin music. When I perform behind the decks I incorporate a visual/kinesthetic performance style – I have to see/touch my music. When using CDs I can satisfy at least one part of my performance style by ‘touching’ the CD. Since I use CD labels on each CD I can still satisfy the other part of my performance style by ‘seeing’ the artwork on the label. However, when I use vinyl I satisfy both parts of my performance style and beyond. I can easily satisfy the visual by ‘seeing’ the record label as well as the grooves on the platter. The bonus is the occasional colored vinyl, adding “flavor” to the set. The kinesthetic aspect is easily satisfied by cueing up the record and adjusting the pitch control on the turntable in a ‘hands-on’ format. I do fully understand that Vinyl Scratch provides the “feel” of vinyl with the two platters supplied in the starter kit…it’s not the same feeling for me as using independent pieces of vinyl. In closing, I will state that there is an abundance of DJ talent in the music scene. A few of my favorite DJs are using laptops and they sound awesome. I must propose that they made the decision to use a laptop for reasons only known to them, so I cannot judge them on their decisions just because my decisions (not to use a laptop, and to continue using vinyl and CDs) are different. Each DJ has to use what works best for them. In the end it’s the output that really counts… -DJ Purple/DJ Optymus Pryme