27th May, 2025

Beyond the Digital: Why DJs still use turntables

The irony of the world of DJing is that on the one hand many non-DJs picture the world of disc jockeying with vinyl records being at the centre, whilst in practice music technology has largely left the world of vinyl behind it.

Nevertheless, turntables and vinyl DJs are making a comeback and the use of records is increasing in popularity. Why is this the case? What’s the difference? And what are the benefits of being a vinyl DJ?

Let’s explore all of this and more.

Turntables and Vinyl: An introduction and history

Turntables are mechanical devices invented in the late 19th century that are used to play vinyl records. It does this by spinning the vinyl around at a constant speed whilst the needle, called a stylus, reads the grooves imprinted on the record and thereby creating sound waves and making music.

Originally, turntables were known as phonographs and over the many intervening years and thanks to the rapidly improving technology, they have since evolved into the modern record player that we recognise today and that became a staple in the rise of DJ culture and art.

Looking Back at the Use of Turntables by Vinyl DJs

Turntables really became central to DJing sometime in the 1970s. The invention of direct-drive models possibly pioneered this. Over time, some of the most innovative DJs started to extend their music manipulation abilities and stretch their beat-matching and scratching muscles by incorporating two turntables into their performances.

With experience and refinement these methods set the foundation for ‘turntablism’, an industry term for the use of records and their physical manipulation to create exciting and creative new sounds/rhythms.

The Rise of Digital

Over time, turntables were phased out and replaced with newer, digital technology.

The decline in the use of turntables amongst mainstream DJs began around the late 1990s due to the rise of digital CD players (CDJs). In conjunction with the development of DJ controllers, musicians and producers enjoyed greater portability, more reliability and better access to a larger range of digital music.

Next came the emergence of digital DJ software. Programs like Serato, rekordbox and Traktor allowed artists to create more original and experimental music. Armed with auto-sync, looping features and a host of effects at the touch of a button, DJing had never been so accessible nor versatile.

As the years progressed, this technology became more and more prevalent. It soon became difficult to complete with vinyl. Traditional turntables were cumbersome, difficult to find, and hard to achieve the same sort of nuanced mixes.

A Resurgence in Popularity: Why DJs Still Use Turntables Today

Despite the rise of digital technology, turntables and vinyl records have enjoyed a rather steady resurgence in popularity. It is not uncommon to find vinyl DJs in clubs today nor to see a record player as a mainstay piece of equipment in a home studio.

Why the resurgence? There are a couple of possible reasons.

1. Tactile control

Whilst the emergence of digital technology opened the door to new and better ways to achieve music mixes, DJs soon began to realise how much they valued the physical and tactile nature of vinyl. The nuanced manipulation techniques meant a deeper connection with the music they were making.

2. Sound quality

In many respects, it is hard to do better than the pitch perfect quality of modern audio files played through state-of-the-art devices. Nevertheless, for many DJs, vinyl offers a warmer, more immersive and wholesome sound that digital ones and zeroes just can’t emulate.

3. Culture and nostalgia

There is certainly an element of cultural significance in the use of vinyl. Turntables are iconic, of course, and representative of the rich and complex history of music in the 19th and 20th century. Perhaps vinyl DJing still represents purity of skill and authenticity of art in a way digital devices can’t compete with.

4. Exclusivity

With record players comes vinyl records. For many DJs, the exclusivity afforded by vinyl (as some tracks may only be available in vinyl form) helps to distinguish them and their art from the dime-a-dozen digital DJs out there.

5. Performance

Turntablism and vinyl scratching is an art in and of itself. For many DJs, especially those participating in competitions or gigging in clubs and live shows, the performance art afforded by vinyl turntablism is a unique and cherished skill.

How Turntables Are Used Today

While turntables have certainly enjoyed a resurgence across the board, some of the genres of DJing that favour vinyl the most include hip hop, dance and the underground scenes. These genres tend to favour tactile experience and hands-on music making.

Vinyl DJ enthusiasts use records and turntables to great effect in a variety of ways and using a number of techniques, including:

Mixing and blending tracks manually during a set or as part of their in-studio music creations
Scratching and beat juggling for creative expression and to add levels of originality and interest into the sets
Performing with timecode vinyl with Digital Vinyl Systems (DVS) so that they can control digital music and audio files using the traditional, valued and unique turntable techniques of yesteryear.

Should you be using vinyl turntables?

Ultimately, the choice is up to you and your preferences, goals and skills. However, there is no question that vinyl DJing is a rewarding and unique experience. For one thing, the hands-on nature makes the mixing and scratching more immersive and expressive.

Secondly, if you are partial to it, the unique character and warmth of the sound is most certainly one of a kind.

And, of course, the exclusive nature of vinyl records and the careful curation required, means you will undoubtedly experience a journey of music discovery that reliance on digital music can’t compete with.

But the truth is that vinyl DJ techniques come with trade-offs. Digital DJing is a lot easier with a variety of sync features and visual aids helping the up and coming musician improve their skills faster.

Another advantage of leaning on modern DJing technology is that the equipment is inherently more portable. Records can be bulky and heavy and your capacity to take music on the road with you is limited. There is next to no limit when it comes to track capacity when it comes to digital technology.

Importantly for many new DJs as well, digital DJing is a more accessible and affordable exercise as it does not require careful procurement of rare records from specialist retailers. The vast digital libraries offer instant access anywhere and anytime so you can get back to focusing on what you do best: Making music.

In summary, if you value traditional, niche skills, tactile control and manual mixing, and are keen to dig into the adventure that is record collecting, vinyl DJing may be for you.

If you are more inclined towards conveniences, ease of access, and efficiency in music creation, perhaps digital DJing is the best option.