VJ Heaven

Scratching began as a practical means by which DJs could cue records. (So say originators like Grandmaster Flash; if you’re interested in the history, check out the fantastic documentary Scratch) But something about the gesture, the mechanical feeling of scratching, and all that history has made the turntable compelling as a controller. It’s even taught as an instrument at Berklee. So, what if you want to scratch for purposes other than conventional DJing?

Getting at Timecode
Digital vinyl systems like Serato Scratch LIVE and Native Instruments Traktor Scratch are designed for DJs. Part of the whole advantage is that you get an integrated system with vinyl, decoding capability, audio interfacing with the computer, and software for DJ functions. If you want to take the turntable to other frontiers, you have to find a way to get the timecode data from the vinyl directly and do something different with it, like control an instrument or scratch visuals. Only recently did a big-name, mainstream DVS, Serato, take on visuals, and even then it makes some assumptions about what you want to do.

Ammobox, an open-sourced, free Reaktor ensemble from Nathan Ramella, breaks the rules of how timecode decoding is supposed to work in a wonderful way, enabling something he calls “polyphonic scratching.” Since it sends MIDI, you can control other stuff with it, and since it’s built in Reaktor, you can customize the workings of the ensemble or integrate it into your own creations.

Ms. Pinky vinyl comes with a Max/MSP external for use in patches. The object also works with Torq vinyl; see comments. And talk about non-conventional DJing: the tech has produced art installations made with turntables in tree trunks and turntable-controller vibrating furniture, pictured top right. (Does anyone know if it’s possible to port the Ms. Pinky object to Pd as well as Max?)

• xwax is an open-source, Linux-based vinyl emulation software. Unlike the other two options here, it is actually intended for emulating digital vinyl systems on Mac and Windows; there are even open source drivers for Rane and Stanton audio interfaces. But to many of us, that isn’t nearly as interesting as doing something different with the vinyl.