Page 1 of 6
So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:20 am
by Basic A
DJ's, sound off.
For one, I generally have noone to chat about mixes n gear with...
But, I notice everyones real qucik to swap feedback about tunes n shit but noones ever swapping feedback on mixing... Seems like the kinda thing we should really be citiquing each toher on and we dont...
Sooo...
Lets network here damnit.
Oh, and you production people can use this as a reference point to find us n get wheels

...
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:23 am
by narcissus
ay basic, not sure you got that PM i sent w/ tune?
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:24 am
by deadly_habit
i do, or at least i try

Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:31 am
by kaiori breathe
I tried and failed. I can't beat match for shit

Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:33 am
by Basic A
Heh, not sure I did either narcissuss, Ill comb my inbox, but if its not there, send it again, I do read em all my man...
deadly you dont count. I already knew you mixed n I already chat gear with you. Thats just no fair.
kaiori, whatcha try on yo, and did you take baby steps?
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:36 am
by contakt321
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:40 am
by kaiori breathe
Basic A wrote:Heh, not sure I did either narcissuss, Ill comb my inbox, but if its not there, send it again, I do read em all my man...
deadly you dont count. I already knew you mixed n I already chat gear with you. Thats just no fair.
kaiori, whatcha try on yo, and did you take baby steps?
I have a set of really basic decks, KAM DDX3000s or something like that. I tried really simple stuff like matching up the beats in trance songs (this was my idea of a baby step, I wanted to be able to mix dubstep but I figured start with something easier - so I chose trance since the beat is usually just alternating between kicks and snares on every beat) but I just couldn't ever get it right even with something as simple as trance. I don't know why, I was just terrible at it. I tried for a good 2 months or so and then gave up. Every now and then I go back and give it another go, but I'm still terrible. I've just kind of accepted it as being one of those things I can't do lol.
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:51 am
by deadcell
kaiori breathe wrote:Basic A wrote:Heh, not sure I did either narcissuss, Ill comb my inbox, but if its not there, send it again, I do read em all my man...
deadly you dont count. I already knew you mixed n I already chat gear with you. Thats just no fair.
kaiori, whatcha try on yo, and did you take baby steps?
I have a set of really basic decks, KAM DDX3000s or something like that. I tried really simple stuff like matching up the beats in trance songs (this was my idea of a baby step, I wanted to be able to mix dubstep but I figured start with something easier - so I chose trance since the beat is usually just alternating between kicks and snares on every beat) but I just couldn't ever get it right even with something as simple as trance. I don't know why, I was just terrible at it. I tried for a good 2 months or so and then gave up. Every now and then I go back and give it another go, but I'm still terrible. I've just kind of accepted it as being one of those things I can't do lol.
just need to keep at it amigo. watch good dj's and trust your ears, learn tempo. it takes like 6 months to a year to get decent imo. and if u learn on shit decks youll be able to lock in no time on techs. tings start getting fun when u can get 3 on the go,
i mean not saying it ALL isnt fun but still
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:55 am
by Basic A
:::Edit, out to the guy above me, who posted while I was typing that, hes speakin the truth.:::
Started with same tempo tracks so you could get used to the idea of conflicting shuffles n shit you cant help, right?
Also, are you trying to learn in a mix scenario, or are you actually technically practicing? try getting a tune you know the bpm of going on your non dominant side (everyone prefers a side of the mixer for shit like fades, ect. just wierd like that, but I notice it in everyone) and then load another track witha different (but known) tempo on the other side. Play track one, and just focus on aligning the beats on two, not matching them to structure and mixing them yet, just getting your tempos and steps right (no offbeats, no kick on top of snares n snarres on top of kicks, ect.)
Thatll take a while yo, learning a 'rule of thumb' formula helps too, for instance 140 + 1% = 142... helped me think in proporton, it because touchier the faster you speed up or slow down...
Keep at it though, I cant imagine any set of decks, regardless of quality, not being used, breaks my heart man.
Like I siad, drill basic matching with no real purpose, on the same sets of records, for months, until its just second nature. Took me 6 to get that, and 2 of that was just getting used to conflicting shuffle n stuff like I siad earlier. Train your ear. its reqarding as fuck once you getover the beatmatch hump, the learning curve becomes incredible, especially if you already produce, youll be at it in no time once you get that first step.
Imagine if youd have gave up and figured you sucked and never drilled hardware use into your head with production...
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:01 am
by ninjadog
I'm half assed when beatmatching two songs for a short time, downright suck if I try to keep it going for say over a minute or two. But my true love and the reason I got a rig is to scratch. Fucking love scratching...Guess I'm more of a turntablist than a DJ, I consider my decks an instrument to make sounds on rather than a playback device.
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:23 am
by kaiori breathe
Hmm, I might try getting back into trying, I don't know, I mean the will is there, I just don't have the time at the minute. It's something I'd love to be able to do just not viable at the minute. But hey, summer's coming soon, so I'll have plenty of time then to take your advice

Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:44 am
by boot
+1 DJ over here
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:52 am
by Basic A
So I suppose, the question becomes, who other then me n jfk n kidlogic are gonna step up n make a DJ bible for the guys like kaiori up there?
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 2:56 am
by abZ
Basic A wrote::::Edit, out to the guy above me, who posted while I was typing that, hes speakin the truth.:::
Started with same tempo tracks so you could get used to the idea of conflicting shuffles n shit you cant help, right?
Also, are you trying to learn in a mix scenario, or are you actually technically practicing? try getting a tune you know the bpm of going on your non dominant side (everyone prefers a side of the mixer for shit like fades, ect. just wierd like that, but I notice it in everyone) and then load another track witha different (but known) tempo on the other side. Play track one, and just focus on aligning the beats on two, not matching them to structure and mixing them yet, just getting your tempos and steps right (no offbeats, no kick on top of snares n snarres on top of kicks, ect.)
Thatll take a while yo, learning a 'rule of thumb' formula helps too, for instance 140 + 1% = 142... helped me think in proporton, it because touchier the faster you speed up or slow down...
Keep at it though, I cant imagine any set of decks, regardless of quality, not being used, breaks my heart man.
Like I siad, drill basic matching with no real purpose, on the same sets of records, for months, until its just second nature. Took me 6 to get that, and 2 of that was just getting used to conflicting shuffle n stuff like I siad earlier. Train your ear. its reqarding as fuck once you getover the beatmatch hump, the learning curve becomes incredible, especially if you already produce, youll be at it in no time once you get that first step.
Imagine if youd have gave up and figured you sucked and never drilled hardware use into your head with production...
15 years deep in Djing here. One thing I always do is drop the record on the 16s even if I am just matching up the tempo. That way you can cut in some beats or do basic tricks. I don't go crazy with that tbh, I prefer transparent mixing but when in the mood... besides the fact you should always be aware of what part of the phrase the tune playing is in, if you cue the next records wherever it can throw you off, just a tip.
I always thought I would be amazing after 15 years but really I have regressed since I don't spend that much time djing at him (practice) anymore but I think my track selection is as good as ever. Kinda crazy when I get done with a set with sloppy match after sloppy match and people come up and tell me how much the enjoyed it. I understand that now. Track selection #1
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:23 am
by boot
abZ wrote:Kinda crazy when I get done with a set with sloppy match after sloppy match and people come up and tell me how much the enjoyed it. I understand that now. Track selection #1
Couldn't agree more!
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:43 am
by Rigorous
i TELLLLL tha DJ what to play.....
Nah, but really doe.... Im a dj.

Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:55 am
by HGLDT

here here!
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:35 am
by FSTZ
was a dj first and foremost... if you want, take a look at my mix in the mixes section.. its differnt, I promise
Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:42 am
by legend4ry
I do DJ, though I have been only been 'properly' djing for about 9 months now (as in, playing out/radio/to a crowd/recording mixes] I really enjoy it, I am not big on being the centre of attention so DJing wasn't really my cuppa tea but I just like the rush of playing on decent systems really - I am not to worried about if people like it or not yet haaha.

Re: So who's a DJ?
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 10:58 am
by justanotherdj
I'm a dj but kind of been in semi retirement the last few years. Got a set of decks about 12 years ago and started playing on the London pirate stations in 2001 and got to play some pretty big events which was cool. Records got to expensive though and although things were turning digital I couldn't get on with cdjs but now with the likes of serato and albeton things look more exciting. I'm going to get everything set up again soon and post some mixes up, I'm sure I'll be a bit rusty though, it's been a good 3 years since I had a mix!