Dj Scratching Performance Techniques: Analysis and Synthesis

Scratching is a popular way of making music, turning the DJ into a musician. Normally scratching is done using a vinyl record, a turntable and a mixer. Vinyl manipulation is built up by a number of specialized techniques that have been analysed in a previous study. The present study has two main objectives. First is to better understand and model turntable scratching as performed by DJs. Second is to design a gesture controller for physical sound models, i.e. models of friction sounds. We attached sensors to a DJ equipment set-up. Then a DJ was asked to perform typical scratch gestures both isolated and in a musical context, i.e. as in a real performance. He also was asked to play with different emotions: sad, angry, happy and fearful. A model of the techniques used by the DJ was built based on the analysis of the collected data. The implementation of the model has been done in pd. The Radio Baton, with specially adapted gesture controllers, has been used for controlling the model. The system has been played by professional DJs in concerts.