The reigning Australian best DJ (DMA) could be content with reaching the upper echelons of international DJs and producers. His Y4K mix was recently launched at Fabric and Sasha included his track Burma, with Luke Chable as Lo Step, on Involver. But Phil K somehow has the time and the dedication to explore the technological boundaries of his craft. Together with Pioneer, Phil has developed the first prototype visual and music mixer, the DVJ-X1.

‘It’s an exciting medium,’ Phil enthused. ‘You’re combining multimedia clips. It’s easy to put visuals to music with a Mac. So we get all this material and burn a DVD. But it’s a lot of work doing the filming and making the music in a different way.’

The main problem is original film has to be created. Almost all TV and film already out there is copywrited. So for Phil to create the DVDs he’s been filming his tours and travels. But he reckons it would take a year of total dedication to get to the stage where he could tour with a DVJ-X1 set. Phil compared the frustrations to the sampling legalities of the 80s. And hopes Hollywood and the film media will ease up the restrictions in time.

‘According to Hollywood, it’s a really really bad thing. But over the next five years an artform will develop. It’s going to get to the point were it makes money… and then hopefully kids will start cutting up news stories…’

Phil roadtested the DVJ-X1 experience in China last year. ‘The one in Beijing was amazing. I played with three DVJs. Half the people understood what was happening… but half didn’t realise we were mixing visuals and music that had been created together. Some didn’t get it, some got it and thought it was incredible.’

So is this the future of DJing? ‘I guess it’s definitely got to go somewhere!’ Phil agreed. ‘It’s not just about turntables anymore. Back in the day your only option was records. Now there’s MP3s, CD, computers, DVD… as technology moves on, crazy stuff’ll be possible. Editing… Mixing… Deep changes.’

Although Phil’s Y4K tour isn’t with the DVJ-X1 he his carrying enough effects of impress. Working with his new DJ1000 Pioneer CD mixer plus technical toys for up to three different effects on each track and a new effects unit that’s been modified in Japan to his specifications.

Phil K’s latest mix CD, ‘Y4K’ is out now on Disctinctive/DMC.