DJ: Decks & FX (PS2)

(Sony Computer Entertainment)

In 1995, Sony Computer Entertainment set their sights on tackling the previously unexplored world of console gaming, with a new console called the ‘Playstation’. A grand aim indeed, given the market domination enjoyed at the time by their main rivals. However, unlike Sega and Nintendo, Sony had quite a unique marketing strategy. Instead of selling computer games to kids, Sony would instead focus their efforts on selling ‘entertainment platforms’ to young adults.

Sony’s initial play on the UK market in 1995 was a futuristic racing game called WipEout. Other than the quite blatant capital ‘E’, the most obvious giveaway that Sony might also be making a play for those who had a keenness for music of the electronic variety was a quite phenomenal techno soundtrack featuring acts of the calibre of Orbital, Leftfield and the Chemical Brothers.

By the time the sequel, WipEout 2097, was released with further tracks from dance music heavyweights The Prodigy and Underworld, numerous clubs across the UK boasted Playstation corners where an increasing number clubbers could indulge their burgeoning love of all things Sony.

Sony made no effort to hide their manufactured link with dance music. Their logo appeared on club flyers and promotions all over the UK, the most memorable being a run of thousands of perforated cards adorned with PlayStation logos, which could be torn up to make convenient filters for ‘roll-up cigarettes’ – or, as Sony claimed, to dispose of chewing gum.

By the time 1998 rolled around, Sony had managed to position the Playstation with enormous success to their trend-conscious target demographic through the cutting-edge appeal of dance music. When the third incarnation of the WipEout series hit the shelves in 1999, featuring a soundtrack produced by Sasha, Sony had achieved it’s aim of ensuring a legion clubbers throughout the UK would follow up a big night out with an equally big session on the PSX.

The rest is pretty much gaming history and, had it not been for the appearance of a certain gun-toting explorer of generously-proportioned assets, Sony may have continued to throw more money at dance music. However, with the exception of MTV Music Generator (featuring an appearance from David Morales for which he should be shot), Sony’s presence in the dance music space has been fairly conspicuous in it’s absence. Until now.

Most will agree that dance music is an interesting paradox of a musical culture which, despite such a huge reliance on electronic means of music production, clearly remains rooted in technology that is distinctly old-fashioned in nature. Dance music remains one of the few places where vinyl and turntables still live on. There are more than a few DJs and clubbers alike for whom the suggestion that CDs or other digital mediums of storing music should replace vinyl, is akin to making a pass at their mothers’.

With this in mind, you could be forgiven for being more than a little sceptical about a game that promises to give you a ‘chance to get behind virtual decks and mix just like a pro’. In the red corner we have $5,000 worth of DJ equipment, in the blue corner a $280 Playstation 2, who’s gonna win?

In actual fact, you will in fact be more than a little pleasantly surprised by what a decent job Sony have done in producing what is most definitely a worthwhile title. Considering how truly awful this piece of software could have been, it actually turns out to be a rather nifty toy and a fantastic addition to any after-club gathering.

You may have noticed my reluctance to refer to DJ Decks and FX as a game. There is no objective or score within this program to speak. No room full of dancing people to whom you must provide a suitable level of joy to in order to progress to the next level. DJ Decks and FX is a program that does exactly what it says on the packet. It is a complete set of equipment that enables you to mix tunes, manage levels, add some effects and drop in some loops to produce a killer mix in your own lounge room.

Jumping into the game, the initial impression of DJ Decks & FX is good. It has a clean and crisp interface which is simple to navigate and easy on the eye. First stop is the tutorial, which underlines the fact that this is a game designed not for those who already have a in-depth technical knowledge of Djing, but rather to be accessible to anyone with a passing interest. The tutorial is simple, structured and concise, taking you step-by-step through what is needed to mix two records together.

The set-up is split into a number of equipment zones, including two turntables, a cross fader, a loop unit, a sampler unit, an effects unit and the equalizer unit. Within these, there are various tools and options, but fundamentally it works like this. You select a record and slap it on. At the top of the screen, a scrolling ribbon displays each bar. Simply decide when you wish to begin playing the record and hit ‘start’, move across to the cross-fader and mix the record in. Simple, innit?

On top of this, you have the option of tweaking the levels using the EQ, doing quick cross fades with the mixer, messing around with what appears to be a Kaos pad or looping part of a track over and over. It’s fairly comprehensive and representative of a fairly expensive whack of equipment that would normally be well outside the price range of ‘normal’ folk.

The music library is clearly weighted in favour of the house mafia, and for some will simply not suffice. The program is devoid of trance, techno, hip hop, ambient, breaks or any of the more alternative musical styles which may have given the title a wider underground appeal. However, of the house that is available, it is of surprisingly high quality. Given that I was expecting a list including names like Alice Deejay and Scooter, I was delighted to discover a playlist that includes tracks from Shapeshifters, Danny Howells, DJ Gregory, Laurent Garnier and Bob Sinclair. A good selection of oldies and newies, split into four categories – acappella, instrumental, percussion and vocal – and a blend of both anthemic and less well known tracks, gives DJ:Decks and FX definite brownie points for taking a bit of time to conduct a bit of research into the contents of the record box.

The other major barrier to making this game work was in the controls. However, they have been thoughtfully designed in such a way that enables the user to do most things quickly and fairly instinctively. It’s all a case of hitting the triangle and X buttons and using the direction buttons to move yourself over the appropriate piece of equipment.

The several other modes available also give the title depth, most notably the party mode, where you simply mix it up (or leave the computer to do the work), or the studio mode you can record your own mix to the memory card for posterity.

There are a few gripes about the game. There is an option to plug in USB headphones, for those who wish to preview their mix. However, it would have been a great idea for Sony to package them with the game itself. In addition, the inability to import music into the game is also an obstacle that impacts on the longevity of the title. No doubt Sony, as with the headphones, will be more than willing to assist you in parting with your money in exchange for more tunes at a later date.

DJ: Decks and FX is, above all else, a worthwhile purchase for anyone who wants to get an understanding of the basics of Djing and have a bit of fun mixing music without having to spend a fortune to do it. Yes, it is a little simplistic, but all the required skills and techniques are accurately represented and here to be learnt. As an after-club toy, it’s a great opportunity to hand around the controller and let everyone in the room manage the soundtrack to the morning, rather than simply slipping in a CD. Whilst it might have most Djs turning in their graves, DJ: Decks is a huge leap forward for those who might wish to have a crack at making mixes in their own front room without having to buy decks.

Rating: 4 stars

Full a full tracklisting, visit: http://nz.playstation.com/playstation_2/software/d/dj_decks_and_fx_tracklisting.jhtml

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