Photonz interview

• We kick of a new series of DJ interviews with an interview with up and coming Lisbon electronic producers Photonz.
• Lossless DJ (LD): What formats do you DJ with?
• Photonz (P): We usually use about 80% vinyl and the rest are digital promos, new Photonz tracks and tunes we're planning to release on our label One Eyed Jacks - for these we usually just burn WAV files into CDR or use a pen drive. Vinyl is definitely the medium we've come to master better as DJs. We love the object, the sound, the way soundsystems react to it and it kinda always felt weird to us using pretend 12"s to play digital files, so we're not too big on Traktor yet. It is also true - even though it might seem impossible nowadays - that some of our favourite releases are vinyl only releases - we're not too big on downloading rips from the internet either. This tends to be a dying trend though definitely, and vinyl sales were never this low before we reckon. Sound quality is key for us, so we try to not play MP3 out. We can definitely tell the difference on a good system.
• LD: What is your dream DJ setup?
• P: 2 CDJ's (preferably 2000's), 2 Technics for the vinyl, a mixer with effects - a DJM-900 would be fine. In case there's a chance of using a Rane or Formula Sound mixer we would prefer them over the Pioneer because the sound is something else. In this case maybe add a little FX unit for added fun.
• LD: What is the most annoying thing that's happened to you when djing digital music?
• P: Something really stupid, like not finding the right track because of wrong labelling of the files, or when the CDJ doesn't read the WAV right after the render from Fruity Loops or Ableton, for some black-magic reason we can't undertand. We're not very tech-savvy when it comes to digital format specifications beyond the lossy / lossless thing.
• LD: What is your opinion about the MP3?
• P: MP3's are super useful and fun, and they have a great role in the acceleration and distribution of culture and knowledge. They're incredible for promotional purposes, for finding your way in the unending amount of music releases out every week, etc. We don't really think they make that much sense as a finalized product though. People should be able to experience music in it's full lossless glory, or if they can just buy wax.. even better!
• LD: Do you think electronic music sound quality is in general getting better or worse?
• P: Worse, definitely. Because DJs kinda lost their way in this ocean of technological possibilities. In general the DJ gave up his/her sound-quality standards in turn for easier, quicker (and much cheaper) ways of playing music - even though nowadays it is perfectly easy to set everything up for using lossless formats.
• LD: What is the best sound system you have ever played on?
• P: The best soundsystem we've played on was the immense Funktion One custom built system at Lisbon's Lux club, on the disco floor. Incredible sound and an incredible room to play at. It truly changes your perspective to play on a system that offers such sonic detail and, by doing so, enhances the whole experience of clubbing and sound fruition. I've heard of a few MP3 DJs that will try to avoid that format there. Rooms like that are what modern dance music was made for.
• LD: Where do you get your tunes from?
• P: Our digital music - other than our own productions - comes mostly from DJ promos and the Digital-Tunes store.
• LD: What do you think the future of digital music is?
• P: People's awareness about what they experience tends to grow on the long haul, so we think that eventually the DJs that invest in lossless files will be able to use that for their advantage, and most importantly will be capable of making the whole clubbing experience more enjoyable to everyone. Also, as digital storage evolves at a crazy rate, the true advantages of MP3 use for DJs will seem a bit obsolete and redundant when compared with those of lossless files.