Any DJ's here?
- Thread starter Nitrojan
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Yeah I have always wanted to.. my mate is a DJ and say's its real hard. There is a lot of wannabe ' iPod ' Dj's out there tho! The kit you gotta buy for mixing cost's a load.. like 2 grand's worth of kit at least! You could begin on those programs where you can make tunes on your computer I suppose!
Soldato
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Yes
edit: oh you wanted advice too...
cheap decks
cdjs
virtual dj/traktor/ableton/mixmeister
I used mixmeister when I was travelling and it run fine on my acer series one netbook which helped me out getting gigs abroad. I now use Ableton Live 8 but finding it a bit of a pig compared to Live 7 haha. No idea why, I just can't get the warping down as tight as cdj mixing or Live 7 could. No patience though and lost my appetite for dj'ing now. Spend more time in the studio producing.
edit: oh you wanted advice too...
cheap decks
cdjs
virtual dj/traktor/ableton/mixmeister
I used mixmeister when I was travelling and it run fine on my acer series one netbook which helped me out getting gigs abroad. I now use Ableton Live 8 but finding it a bit of a pig compared to Live 7 haha. No idea why, I just can't get the warping down as tight as cdj mixing or Live 7 could. No patience though and lost my appetite for dj'ing now. Spend more time in the studio producing.
Last edited:
Soldato
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don't bother with virtual dj, there's nothing talented or skill-full about it.
if you have to use some sort of software, serato would be my choice (in fact, it is
)
to start with, pick up some decks/mixer package, if you need to learn to mix that is.
second off, it's who you know rather than what you know, so try and talk to local dj's for club nights etc, and if the opportunity arises record a mix and give it to them - that way, if they like it they might give you a set, but then the crowd will be your judge
if you have to use some sort of software, serato would be my choice (in fact, it is
)to start with, pick up some decks/mixer package, if you need to learn to mix that is.
second off, it's who you know rather than what you know, so try and talk to local dj's for club nights etc, and if the opportunity arises record a mix and give it to them - that way, if they like it they might give you a set, but then the crowd will be your judge
Soldato
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don't bother with virtual dj, there's nothing talented or skill-full about it.
if you have to use some sort of software, serato would be my choice (in fact, it is
to start with, pick up some decks/mixer package, if you need to learn to mix that is.
second off, it's who you know rather than what you know, so try and talk to local dj's for club nights etc, and if the opportunity arises record a mix and give it to them - that way, if they like it they might give you a set, but then the crowd will be your judge
Completely agree with you. I'm a DJ/Promoter in Liverpool and what twist3d0n3 has said is very true.
The only thing I would disagree about (and this is down to person preference only) is the Serato. When I got by cd decks I did so because I was tired of having vinyls ruined/broken/stolen, and Serato means you have to disrupt the DJ before you when setting up your stuff.
Picture of my set up here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=17137590&postcount=1102
Something I have always wanted to try out.. you know, one of those childhood fantasies. I guess it doesn't help with my love for trance and house music!
What's the best way to begin? Looking for advice really
start saving money, lots of it
Soldato
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second off, it's who you know rather than what you know, so try and talk to local dj's for club nights etc, and if the opportunity arises record a mix and give it to them - that way, if they like it they might give you a set, but then the crowd will be your judge
Basically you have to suck a lot of **** to get anywhere in the industry, go to every night you want to play at, become friends with the promoters, offer to help out at parties, in certain circumstances sell tickets for the promoter, take a cut of the ticket price and that is your pay. Expect to play to a non existent crowd for a long long time playing the warm up sets !!
Expect to pay a lot of money and spend all your time for **** all return. Everyone says 'it's for the love of the music' however it is still a job as a performer and you should always expect to get paid for it. If they charge on the door, it is their prerogative to pay you even if it is your train fare and a few beers.
Too many nights I have played at where I've sold tickets, helped promote it and then the promoter/club turn round and close the room/club or cancel your sets.
However, when you do get a peak time set and you drop a monster track there is nothing quite like it when youe see everyone dancing - especially if it's your own track you're playing.
Tune selection and Cue points, two of the most important aspects of DJ'ing in my opinion. How can that be overlooked? Being able to beatmatch on decks doesn't make you a DJ
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each to their own, but it's convenient having serato, and i always consider cd's cheating
i know what you mean though, can be a pain setting it up, but usually you just get one side plugged in when the dj who's on at the time is faffing on the other deck, then visa versa - never had a problem that way
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well, yeah, but that goes without saying... virtual dj is awful - i played at a party on saturday and the guy before me was using it - all he did was drag/drop a tune, click sync and pressed play at the appropriate time. now, if you can't do that with vinyl, you need more practice imo...
Oh I agree for partys/clubs, it's rubbish in that respect. For learning the ropes with trance though it's a good option
surely serato and any other software is just the same but with added fake showmanship.
Hardstyle and Hardhouse DJ here. Been doing it for a few years now, and played some sets out, started on Vinyl and then moved onto CDJ's, I do play sometimes on Virtual DJ when I can't get to my decks but there's no substitute for having a set of physical decks infront of you
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well, no i don't think so really, as you still control the tracks as if they were on vinyl, and if you can train yourself not to look at the waveforms (it's impossible not to use them to begin with as it's so shiny
) and just go by knowing your tunes, then it's no different to mixing 'old skool' a la vinyl...well, no i don't think so really, as you still control the tracks as if they were on vinyl, and if you can train yourself not to look at the waveforms (it's impossible not to use them to begin with as it's so shiny
If they're beatmatching and not cheating by using BPM counters then I don't mind how they do it
I still am a bit hesitant when I see someone using Serato after I learnt on Vinyl and think something is lost when mixing on a laptop.
I've just started.
no way does it cost like 2 grand, maybe if you're professional. you can buy software, mixer, headphones at a decent quality for £250.
I'm yet to buy some decks/mixer but I'm messing around with VDJ until I can afford it.
no way does it cost like 2 grand, maybe if you're professional. you can buy software, mixer, headphones at a decent quality for £250.
I'm yet to buy some decks/mixer but I'm messing around with VDJ until I can afford it.
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i started off on a 200 quid package of 2x stanton decks and a gemini mixer - all WOEFUL!
now i've got a cheapish behringer mixer and stanton str8-150's with ortofon conchord pro-s. i have to say, and i know this is blasphemy, but i prefer my str8-150's to techy 1210's
now i've got a cheapish behringer mixer and stanton str8-150's with ortofon conchord pro-s. i have to say, and i know this is blasphemy, but i prefer my str8-150's to techy 1210's
but i prefer my str8-150's to techy 1210's
GTFO!
Also I started on 2 Gemini TT02's and a Behringer DJX400 for the total sum of £200 I think, the Vinyl collection soon dwarfed that amount though
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GTFO!
Also I started on 2 Gemini TT02's and a Behringer DJX400 for the total sum of £200 I think, the Vinyl collection soon dwarfed that amount though
i know, i'm ashamed, but the str's are so responsive... 1210's feel 'woolly' in comparison
yeah i know what you mean with the records, i've got over 700 i think now... serato has allowed me to stop that growing too much tho