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Panasonic announced last year that they will end production of the iconic Technics turntables. So, has this announcement put the final nail in the coffin for vinyl? The manufacturers have blamed a decline in demand for the turntables along with the continued rise of digital DJ equipment, which is proving a difficult argument to counter.

One advantage of mixing with digital DJ equipment is the fact that tracks can be stored on a PC in huge amounts. Vinyl records are large and heavy to transport, and are prone to damage. Sets must be exhaustively planned in advance, removing the potential for improvised track changes. If a record didn't make it into the box, it can't be played. On the other hand, complete digital music collections can be constantly available on a PC.

There can be literally thousands of tracks in one collection, and yet music management software means that DJs only need a snippet of information to search their database and locate the right file. To find the right vinyl, you have to crouch down and physically root through the records.

Travelling becomes much easier for DJs mixing digital files. Successful DJs perform at nightclubs all over the world, and need their music to travel with them. Whereas vinyl had to be flown in the holds of planes, leaving it vulnerable to theft, damage or delay, Digital DJs can keep their DJ equipment and music in their sight at all times.

One further benefit of making the move away from vinyl DJ equipment is the ease with which new music can be found and bought. Instead of having to root through shelves in record shops or begging record labels for limited releases, digital music can be paid for and downloaded in the blink of an eye.

The ability to save several copies of tracks again protects a DJ from losing music, as well as being able to play the same track simultaneously on two decks. The only way to achieve this with vinyl is to purchase two copies. As with many cultural forms, both vinyl and digital have their fans, and while digital DJ equipment is surely more practical and less expensive, the debate is sure to grumble on for some time yet.