This also helped establish the specifications for the audio mixer (it had to support at least 2 audio sources and be able to transition smoothly between them). Only one song was played at a time, so that defined the minimum number of sources needed as two. The basic idea behind modern DJing was to have multiple playback sources and an audio mixer to transition between them – that way the DJ could prepare the next record while one was playing. Let’s look at the reason that workflow is so deeply established in our minds. On the surface of it that may seem logical, but did you ever stop and think about why? What’s the Big Deal? Nearly every DJ software package has copied it to some extent at one time or another. If I showed any of you the following abstract picture, you would immediately understand what it is… We all know the well-established DJ workflow. I think this is where the DJ industry is right now. But when taken too far, or out of proper context, it can become a cage from which new ideas can’t escape. Deep within our brains is a mechanism for recognizing cause and effect, and our past experience serves us well most of the time. It’s normal to base your current decisions on your past experience. When we look back on our past – no matter the context – we often experience a feeling of safety.
