Spanish Promoter Bans Computer Synch Program Traktor From Events

DJ Techtools) WIP, a Barcelona-based agency and label that throws parties, books events and manages artists, has issued a strong statement on Facebook that they’re no longer going to allow Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ software to be used at events that they throw in the future.

In their statement (Editor’s Update 4:40Pm PST: looks like their Facebook note was taken down or deleted!) the group bemoans not the technology itself, but the type of DJs and performers use the software as some type of a crutch:

“The real issue is with “artists” who swear they can play any format be it CD, vinyl, usb and or Traktor but whose Traktor sets are nothing but stale, bland and outright insulting to a paying crowd and promoter.

We’ve  also grown tired of the endless issues with missing cables, problems with timecode (learn how to use your gear before you play out), taking up the previous Dj’s time to set up your gear (cause you didn’t want to come to the club early and set up your Traktor), how is it you play 5 times a week and still don’t know how to set it up right?

And, more importantly we’re fed up with the general laziness shown by 99% of “artists” that we’ve seen and heard playing Traktor.”

EDMBoston Take:  By and large we have to applaude WIP's, the Spanish Promoter, actions here.  The problem is that most dj's utilizing traktor lack superior quality DJ skills to entertain a crowd. They auto synch up tracks and are the epitimy of flanger knob turners. It's akeen to watching a pop star lip synch his/her performance.  We know the nay sayers are going to say what about DJ Shiftee, Craze, and Loco Dice that utilize traktor in the creative way that it's suppose to be used. That is the unfortunate downside. However, how many performers can you say are operating traktor in that manner? We've seen very few, especially on the local level.

We think what this promoter should have done is stopped booking progressive/electro house artists that synching tracks on traktor.

Nevertheless, I'm sure this Barcelona agency won't have any problems bending it's rules when it comes to an artist like loco dice.

Read the article below for more details on the story:

(DJ Techtools) WIP, a Barcelona-based agency and label that throws parties, books events and manages artists, has issued a strong statement on Facebook that they’re no longer going to allow Native Instruments’ Traktor DJ software to be used at events that they throw in the future.

In their statement (Editor’s Update 4:40Pm PST: looks like their Facebook note was taken down or deleted!) the group bemoans not the technology itself, but the type of DJs and performers use the software as some type of a crutch:

“The real issue is with “artists” who swear they can play any format be it CD, vinyl, usb and or Traktor but whose Traktor sets are nothing but stale, bland and outright insulting to a paying crowd and promoter.

We’ve  also grown tired of the endless issues with missing cables, problems with timecode (learn how to use your gear before you play out), taking up the previous Dj’s time to set up your gear (cause you didn’t want to come to the club early and set up your Traktor), how is it you play 5 times a week and still don’t know how to set it up right?

And, more importantly we’re fed up with the general laziness shown by 99% of “artists” that we’ve seen and heard playing Traktor.”

While we’re absolutely not going to pretend like we haven’t seen performers with a lazy style in the club, it’s odd to see this agency point the finger at Traktor. What about performers who cycle through the same CDs every single gig, whose set lists look identical every night? You don’t need to use Traktor to be a bad DJ – Ableton, Scratch Live, ITCH, CD, and even vinyl DJs all are capable of sitting back and not putting on incredible sets if they’re not into it.

Banning Traktor seems a bit excessive – why not instead make sure that the artist puts on great shows? A little bit of research can go a long way, and that’s something that a connected agency and clever event promoter should have a responsibility to do.