DJ Hero vs. The Real Thing

By Muxx - November 17th, 2009 - Reviews - View Comments

I’ve been holding my tongue about DJ Hero. Much like many of the comments about Guitar Hero, it often comes up to the same argument of “why not just learn how to DJ”. I know this may sound a bit like a rant but I want to put my two cents in on DJ Hero vs. the real thing.

What’s with the buttons?

This is one of my main problems with DJ Hero; it’s all about button mashing. Much like with Guitar Hero, it’s about being able to hit a button on the right note. With an actual DJ setup, besides a mixer with effects buttons, where do you find any buttons (not counting the start/stop)?

To many people, DJing looks like you’d be playing two records. For others, they know that there’s a lot more going on such as beatmatching, scratching, EQ levels, effects, reading the crowd and so much more.

It’s all just basic scratching

Okay, so buttons aside, what else is the main draw of DJ Hero? Well, one of the major features is the ability to scratch during certain notes. Unfortunately, just like in Guitar Hero, these moments will leave you just going spastic by rocking the platter back and forth. Sure people could try to actually scratch like turntablists, but they aren’t going to.

You’re stuck with the songs

Part of the main appeal of DJing is that you have such a massive choice of music to play from. For DJ Hero, you’re stuck with the package music, which is no good if you don’t like any of them. Additionally, you don’t get any of that warm, fuzzy feeling like when you find that perfect song in the bottom of a crate at your local record shop.

You’re missing out on the party

Okay, you round up a few friends over to play DJ Hero, that’s fun and all but then you’re missing out an entire night life full of craziness. You’re not going to run into the guy riding around the dance floor on a unicycle (seen this), the guy passed out in front of the stage (seen this), the naked girl running around the naked screaming about the apocalypse (seen this) or giving random people rides in Miami to the next club (done this).

Sure it’s fun to have some friends over just to play the game, that’s what it’s about, but then you’re really missing out on seeing a really awesome culture, the people within it and loud, mind altering music at a real party.

Even if you master it, it’s still a game

This is my main problem with DJ Hero, that even if you master DJ Hero, it doesn’t go anywhere. If you put the same amount of time into actually learning to DJ, you’d at least be able to throw a few real parties.

For nearly the same price, you could pick up at least an mp3 controller or a pair of used Numark or Stanton turntables and mixer. With an mp3 controller, such as the Hercules DJ Console MKII, you’d be able to mix any song on your computer, which sure beats the 102 songs that are packaged with it.

Even if you only learned basic beatmatching, which doesn’t take forever to get the fundamentals (though it will take a while to master), you’d still be way ahead in learning to DJ than investing the same amount of time into DJ Hero.

There are plenty of cheap, real DJ mp3 controller setups that you could buy that would allow you to mix your favorite songs while at least building a fundamental knowledge of actual DJing (remember: if you’re serious, you’ll want to upgrade from these).

M-Audio Torq MixLab Digital DJ System – $85.82

Hercules DJ Control MP3 – $139.95

ION Audio iCUE MP3 Computer Music Mixing Station with Software – $125

What I say…

I say skip over DJ Hero if you really want to know what DJing is about.

If you’re just looking for a quick game to waste some time on than be my guest and check out DJ Hero.

There’s always room for improvement with an actual pair of turntables but with DJ Hero you’ll always be stuck with a game.

Get out and mix it up, check out a club or local party with a DJ. Ask the DJ questions about their equipment. DJing for real isn’t for everyone but it’s a ton of fun.

Just my two cents.

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  • old skool
    You didnt add in all the money you have to spend on records, speakers, etc. if you want to get on the computer and do it, sure, but if you just wanna play a few songs and get off the game then just spend the 120.00. I'm not a dj but have been in the music for a long time and find this to be pretty cool cause I dont have all the time to get into real turntablism.
  • Muxxex
    Very true, good point.

    It's a lot like Guitar Hero, you can jump into the game right away without the same learning curve of actually DJing which has its merits.

    As long as people are enjoying the music right?
  • 404error
    Couldn't agree more.

    I myself am not a DJ, but i have a buddy who is and i couldn't imagine him spinning the same tracks over and over.

    I'll give you two cents to add to yours.
  • Muxxex
    Exactly!

    You're going to be stuck with that same set list and what's worse is you know they'll release some DLC release that'll cost $10 for 10 songs but at the end of the day you don't own the vinyl/cd of it ya know?

    It looks like it would be decent fun but then if you're in the Guitar Hero/Rock Band mood, why not just play those?

    +2 cents added to the bank, thanks :D
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