Scared about learning to DJ.

[xhayatox]

Yes but do you need to know how a computer works on the inside to be able to use one?

He said has been using EQ, and now wants to know how it works.

I meant, I want to know how it works well enough to be able to explain it on my own, and so I understand what I'm doing when I'm using an EQ myself.

[Rappone]

Many DJs use minimal hardware nowadays, some even pre record their mixes on ableton, then on stage practice 'the art of doing nothing'. DJing isn't nearly as hard as producing.
And you don't need books there's pretty much all the info you need scattered online. Just do the right research

On a side note - hayato was my fave char on mavel vs capcom.

[dickman69]

Just gotta learn to beat match.

Paris Hilton dont beatmatch m8

[xhayatox]

Many DJs use minimal hardware nowadays, some even pre record their mixes on ableton, then on stage practice 'the art of doing nothing'. DJing isn't nearly as hard as producing.
And you don't need books there's pretty much all the info you need scattered online. Just do the right research

On a side note - hayato was my fave char on mavel vs capcom.

I see what you mean. Although, like I said before, I'm not really worried about learning how to "DJ", my main concern is learning how to use the actual equipment. I could care less for the techniques. I could pick all that up from anywhere, you're right about that. My problem is the equipment. The mixer I actually really want to get is the DJM-900. And yeah, as you can see, from my standpoint, it's a pretty intimidating piece of hardware. I barely understand what half of the words mean and what half those knobs do and sliders. I know it comes with a manual, but usually manuals are written in a very technical manner, and don't do a good job of explaining shit simply. So like I said, I'm worried that once I buy this mixer, and bring it home, I won't know how to use it. That's my main fear.

http://static4.djtechtools.com/wp-conte ... us-top.jpg

[Rappone]

well I learnt everything from trials, never read the manual. Just got around to reading recently to see what I might've missed from exploring it on my own (production). there are many more things and specific knobs that do many different things from filters/oscillators/envelopes/reverbs and so much more on a DAW than there are on this machine. What I'm saying is if you just read an overview about how to hook it up and experiment with it for a while you'll pretty much get the hang of it in no time.
Whenever you're stuck, read the manual, might be technical but definitely puts you on the right track. Nothing to fear IMO. I love experimenting with new things.

[xhayatox]

well I learnt everything from trials, never read the manual. Just got around to reading recently to see what I might've missed from exploring it on my own (production). there are many more things and specific knobs that do many different things from filters/oscillators/envelopes/reverbs and so much more on a DAW than there are on this machine. What I'm saying is if you just read an overview about how to hook it up and experiment with it for a while you'll pretty much get the hang of it in no time.
Whenever you're stuck, read the manual, might be technical but definitely puts you on the right track. Nothing to fear IMO. I love experimenting with new things.

Experimenting on your own does help, but often times, I am just twiddling knobs and I don't really know what I'm doing. That's what I've been doing in my DAW for 3 years, and that's why I don't know what an EQ is, or rather I don't know how to explain what an EQ is and how it works. That's the problem. I spent a lot of time experimenting, but I never spent time focusing on what was going on behind the scenes, you know what I mean? Like, if I buy the mixer, I don't want to just be turning knobs. I want to be turning knobs and know what they do as a result of turning them. I want to be able to explain what they do. If that makes sense.

But yes, experimenting is certainly effective as well. That's mainly what it comes down too. And yeah I will definitely use the manual as reference if anything comes up. I just really want to learn as much as I can. I have a huge desire to learn. I want to be one of those guys who you can ask "Hey, what does this knob do?", or, "How does a Reverb work?", and they can explain it to you so well. Some people just know technical stuff like that so naturally. They don't even need any effort to explain it. I want to be one of those guys. Just having all that knowledge would be great and very rewarding.

[Rappone]

Ahh, alright. Yes, well, I only know how it affects the sound I'm hearing, not what goes on with the wave technically. Save for a few things I've actually researched and what I can deduce from what I hear.

Basic use of EQ:
http://www.nodoughmusic.com/hello/makin ... q-your-mix

How EQ works

Although the range of equalization functions is governed by the theory of linear filters, the adjustment of those functions and the flexibility with which they can be adjusted varies according to the topology of the circuitry and controls presented to the user. Shelving controls are usually simple first-order filter functions which alter the relative gains between frequencies much higher and much lower than the corner frequencies. A low shelf, such as the bass control on most hi-fi equipment, is adjusted to affect the gain of lower frequencies while having no effect well above its corner frequency. A high shelf, such as a treble control adjusts the gain of higher frequencies only. These are coarse adjustments more designed to increase the listener's satisfaction than providing actual equalization in the strict sense of the term.
A parametric equalizer, on the other hand, has one or more sections each of which implements a second-order filter function. This involves three adjustments: selection of the center frequency (in Hz), adjustment of the Q which determines the sharpness of the bandwidth, and the level or gain control which determines how much those frequencies are boosted or cut relative to frequencies much above or below the center frequency selected. In a quasi-parametric or semi-parametric equalizer there is no control for the bandwidth (it is preset by the designer) or is only selected between two presets using a switch.
A graphic equalizer also implements second-order filter functions in a more user-friendly manner, but with somewhat less flexibility. This equipment is based on a bank of filters covering the audio spectrum in up to 30 frequency bands. Each second-order filter has a fixed center frequency and Q, but an adjustable level. The user can raise or lower each slider in order to visually approximate a "graph" of the intended frequency response.
Variable equalization in audio reproduction was first used by John Volkman working at RCA in the 1920s. That system was used to equalize a motion picture theater sound playback system.[2]
Since "equalization" in the context of audio reproduction isn't used strictly to compensate for the deficiency of equipment and transmission channels, the use of high and low pass filters may be mentioned. A high-pass filter modifies a signal only by eliminating lower frequencies. Thus a low-cut or rumble filter is used to remove infrasonic energy from a program which may consume undue amplifier power and cause excessive excursions in (or even damage to) speakers. A low-pass filter only modifies the audio signal by removing high frequencies. Thus a high-cut or hiss filter may be used to remove annoying white noise at the expense of the crispness of the program material.
A first-order low or high pass filter has a standard response curve which reduces the unwanted frequencies well above or below the corner frequency with a slope of 6 dB per octave. A fancier second-order filter will reduce those frequencies with a slope of 12 dB per octave and moreover may be designed with a higher Q or finite zeros in order to effect an even steeper response around the cutoff frequency. For instance, a second-order low-pass notch filter section only reduces (rather than eliminates) very high frequencies, but has a steep response falling to zero at a specific frequency (the so-called notch frequency). Such a filter might be ideal, for instance, in completely removing the 19 kHz FM stereo subcarrier pilot signal while helping to cut even higher frequency subcarrier components remaining from the stereo demultiplexer.
In addition to adjusting the relative amplitude of frequency bands, an audio equalizer may alter the relative phases of those frequencies. While the human ear is not as sensitive to the phase of audio frequencies (involving delays of less than 1/30 second), music professionals may favor certain equalizers because of how they affect the timbre of the musical content by way of audible phase artifacts.[3]

[xhayatox]

Ahh, alright. Yes, well, I only know how it affects the sound I'm hearing, not what goes on with the wave technically. Save for a few things I've actually researched and what I can deduce from what I hear.

Basic use of EQ:
http://www.nodoughmusic.com/hello/makin ... q-your-mix

How EQ works

No lol. I'm not asking how an EQ works. I'm just giving you an example. Yeah, you usually can hear differences after turning knobs. I just want to know what the differences are. Especially on the Mixer. It has a lot of shit that I'm not really familiar with so I don't know. Hopefully the manual will clear shit up. I guess that's all I can do honestly.

[dickman69]

Many DJs use minimal hardware nowadays, some even pre record their mixes on ableton, then on stage practice 'the art of doing nothing'. DJing isn't nearly as hard as producing.
And you don't need books there's pretty much all the info you need scattered online. Just do the right research

On a side note - hayato was my fave char on mavel vs capcom.

I see what you mean. Although, like I said before, I'm not really worried about learning how to "DJ", my main concern is learning how to use the actual equipment. I could care less for the techniques. I could pick all that up from anywhere, you're right about that. My problem is the equipment. The mixer I actually really want to get is the DJM-900. And yeah, as you can see, from my standpoint, it's a pretty intimidating piece of hardware. I barely understand what half of the words mean and what half those knobs do and sliders. I know it comes with a manual, but usually manuals are written in a very technical manner, and don't do a good job of explaining shit simply. So like I said, I'm worried that once I buy this mixer, and bring it home, I won't know how to use it. That's my main fear.

http://static4.djtechtools.com/wp-conte ... us-top.jpg

Just get numark shit like every1 else

Listen to atlas IMO

[YourDad]

well I learnt everything from trials, never read the manual. Just got around to reading recently to see what I might've missed from exploring it on my own (production). there are many more things and specific knobs that do many different things from filters/oscillators/envelopes/reverbs and so much more on a DAW than there are on this machine. What I'm saying is if you just read an overview about how to hook it up and experiment with it for a while you'll pretty much get the hang of it in no time.
Whenever you're stuck, read the manual, might be technical but definitely puts you on the right track. Nothing to fear IMO. I love experimenting with new things.

Experimenting on your own does help, but often times, I am just twiddling knobs and I don't really know what I'm doing. That's what I've been doing in my DAW for 3 years, and that's why I don't know what an EQ is, or rather I don't know how to explain what an EQ is and how it works. That's the problem. I spent a lot of time experimenting, but I never spent time focusing on what was going on behind the scenes, you know what I mean? Like, if I buy the mixer, I don't want to just be turning knobs. I want to be turning knobs and know what they do as a result of turning them. I want to be able to explain what they do. If that makes sense.

But yes, experimenting is certainly effective as well. That's mainly what it comes down too. And yeah I will definitely use the manual as reference if anything comes up. I just really want to learn as much as I can. I have a huge desire to learn. I want to be one of those guys who you can ask "Hey, what does this knob do?", or, "How does a Reverb work?", and they can explain it to you so well. Some people just know technical stuff like that so naturally. They don't even need any effort to explain it. I want to be one of those guys. Just having all that knowledge would be great and very rewarding.

If you've spent 3 years experimenting with a DAW and didn't learn anything you must be either incredibly thick or deaf.
I can't even...

[xhayatox]

Can you all get off my back about that and stop bringing that shit up? I already explained it and I'm done explaining that. I answered that question several times in multiple threads

[Efrafa11]

I just really want to learn as much as I can. I have a huge desire to learn. I want to be one of those guys who you can ask "Hey, what does this knob do?", or, "How does a Reverb work?", and they can explain it to you so well. Some people just know technical stuff like that so naturally. They don't even need any effort to explain it. I want to be one of those guys. Just having all that knowledge would be great and very rewarding.

Take some intiative?
Keeping looking it up till you understand it.

[xhayatox]

I just really want to learn as much as I can. I have a huge desire to learn. I want to be one of those guys who you can ask "Hey, what does this knob do?", or, "How does a Reverb work?", and they can explain it to you so well. Some people just know technical stuff like that so naturally. They don't even need any effort to explain it. I want to be one of those guys. Just having all that knowledge would be great and very rewarding.

Take some intiative?
Keeping looking it up till you understand it.

Yeah that's why I'm trying to get books.

Ok back to the point of the thread. So basically, once I buy the Mixer the best thing to do is just read the manual, and experiment with the mixer myself right? Is that the most effective way to learn how to use the mixer/equipment?

[SMOR3S]

Take it one step at the time. Get acquinted with beatmatching first (though kill the bass of one of the songs), which is just using the turntable's pitch and the volume slider.

If you've got that, you'll learn the rest pretty quickly

Beatmatching? Who beatmatches anymore? I just use Sync...

lol jk ^__^

[xhayatox]

Take it one step at the time. Get acquinted with beatmatching first (though kill the bass of one of the songs), which is just using the turntable's pitch and the volume slider.

If you've got that, you'll learn the rest pretty quickly

Beatmatching? Who beatmatches anymore? I just use Sync...

lol jk ^__^

No idea what that is lol.

[SMOR3S]

Take it one step at the time. Get acquinted with beatmatching first (though kill the bass of one of the songs), which is just using the turntable's pitch and the volume slider.

If you've got that, you'll learn the rest pretty quickly

Beatmatching? Who beatmatches anymore? I just use Sync...

lol jk ^__^

No idea what that is lol.

Beatmatching is where you match the tracks tempo, to make them in sync, by using the pitch faders, but if you want, you can press sync on the decks, but imo, it's a cheap way of djing :3

I would honestly go the route of a controller with jog wheels, than a standalone mixer, with CDJ's, or Vinyl, cause I just feel more comfortable, using a controller.... Numark Mixtrack has a controller for $100, and Traktor has a 2 channel mixer, called the S2 for $500....

Numark Mixtrack: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Numark-MixT ... 1545208.gc

Traktor S2: http://www.amazon.com/Native-Instrument ... B005K2RYA2

[didi]

I learnt to dj using virtual dj with my computer keyboard, covering up the bpms on the screen with postit notes . Then when I could finally afford a second turntable and a mixer it really wasn't that difficult to at consistently mix smoothly. I think once you have beatmatching down, trial and error can teach you about transitions. Listening to mixes probably helps, but I'm sure you do that already.

[SMOR3S]

I learnt to dj using virtual dj with my computer keyboard, covering up the bpms on the screen with postit notes . Then when I could finally afford a second turntable and a mixer it really wasn't that difficult to at consistently mix smoothly. I think once you have beatmatching down, trial and error can teach you about transitions. Listening to mixes probably helps, but I'm sure you do that already.

^ This

+ You don't have to go crazy with beatmashing, or filtering... Just worry about beatmatching first, transitions, and making your mixes flow good....

[SKIN E]

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to- ... oundboard/ <-- Get through this it explains everything except all the fancy effects (effects like flanger - try them out your DAW will have supplied you with VST's that do the same)

It might look confusing, but as soon as you know what gain and EQ and faders are it'll make sense so quickly, I don't feel like you have to be scared that you won't understand the piece of equipment, alternatively you could download a demo of lets say Traktor and just check out all the knobs and faders and options there.

[ephyks]

Actually, I've been wanting to know this for some time now but I haven't read much of this thread yet so I'm not sure if anyone has talked about it but...

When playing out live, how many tunes does one person put on a CD? My brother always tries to convince me that you can put a whole EP on a CD and just track select while mixing. I say this would feel bizarre and you should just put one tune per CD so you know exactly what tune you're going to play when you load it up and it keeps you a bit busier than just standing in front of a crowd and pretending to mess with the levels.