HELP PLEASE.... DJ in need..

[realjuggalo16]

OKay what i need is some help .... I just started djing on the computer....I know it isn't spinning like with a record... but i think it can get me started till i can get the money to get the stuff i need to even do really djing....and even then i want to get the cd tables ....because of some personal reasons , not that i think records are out dated and un used because i love records i own alot of them myself .. I just feel like i would better off using CD's instead of Records . Well The help i need is to get some mp3's of some really good org . tracks .. of some good trance and Break Beats , Drums and Bass , Jungle , ....but no house or disco... or any really gay shit ... Sorry if i said anything bad about anyone... no harm was meant.... ;) .... but so on , I want to do this little computer dj thing till i can get the money to do the real thing and become a real dj . But question What is a real DJ ? what do you have to do to be a Dj other than play and crossfade songs and the here and there scratching ? maybe you can help me out on this one ? .... I hope you reply to my tread ... ~*PLUR to all*~

[Matthew Skye]

Originally posted by realjuggalo16
...But the question is What is a real DJ ? what do you have to do to be a Dj other than play and crossfade songs and the here and there scratching ? maybe you can help me out on this one ? .... I hope you reply to my tread ... ~*PLUR to all*~

Although some may disagree, Djing is an art. In the very least there is creative input involved. There is a lot more to it than just playing and mixing music. Well, i guess you could only apply yourself just enough to get some songs and play them, but what would be the point? I'm going to assume you are using turntables, a mixer, and records. Any other method isn't worth your time if you ask me. CD turntables and CD dj's aren't bad, they just aren't the same.

So past just playing records you need to know how to:

mix properly, which means: knowing when to begin mixing, knowing how to properly work your EQ's and volume levels, knowing how to beatmatch, maybe knowing a few tricks to make you mixing interesting, knowing when you've fucked up and you should bail, knowing your songs and knowing what songs mix well with others (mixing songs written in different keys will sound a little off, while mixing songs written in the same key will sound more natural)
learn what records to buy (yes get songs you like, but it also helps if other people like what you play) and when to play those records. You should know how to read your crowd, if they seem to be liking songs of a certain style more, then maybe you should play more songs of that style.

There is a lot more stuff involved, but i think I've gone indepth enough. Just go to a party and watch a dj who knows what they are doing. Look at the little things, the smallest knob tweak has a great effect, even if it isn't immedeatly audible.

[realjuggalo16]

This is true to popular thoughts .... But What i want to do is play mp3's from a laptop , to a large crowd. Doing the same thing any other dj does just computerizing it ... instead of the tables and mixer ... just minimizing the shit you have , till i can get the money to get the tables and mixers to do what i really want to do , kinda like i want the people to know who i am and hear what i can do , and then when i do get the shit i want , I'll look like i got my shit in order . to play for a larger crowd than was before . ?? Any replys would be helpfull .

[zan]

mad props matthew. I LOVED WHAT YOU WROTE :D
SPINNING IS AN ART :headbang:

[jaksajak]

there is no doubt that mixing is an art form. there is such a wide range of styles and variety of techniques that it exists as a culture of its own.

and on the subject of techniques on technics -- its all relative to your environment. if you're a trance dj then mixing beats is a majority of what you do. if you're a hip hop dj and you can't scratch, well then what are you doing up there? and if you're a dj playing for some kinda wedding gig to make ends meet, then an mp3 player and a laptop is rather appropriate. not to diss that mentality cuz i've been there -- and most adults may not want your all-out super breaks dj spinning at their wedding anyways.

so what is a true dj? there's all types -- just stay true to whatever sub-culture you exist in. many electronic groups use a laptop among their other instruments when performing live -- samplers and drum machines are nearly in the same class. when my group performs we don't use computers -- our dj uses Pioneer CDJ 1000's. we create original music and then our dj mixes the songs up while we perform live. we make some good music and there are tons of mp3's so check out the site: theNOMADIX.com (http://www.thenomadix.com)

[realjuggalo16]

Thanks Jaksajak ,
I don't want to be doing no weddings anytime soon*like i really need that*But I understand where your coming from .. Thanks for the link .
Love Peace & Chicken Grease ... ~*PLUR to all*~

[jaksajak]

thanks -- sorry to have put it that way but mostly i'm glad you know what i mean...we all have the freedom to mix songs together with whatever technique we wanna use but qbert didn't get to the top with his laptop thats all. =) but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes so full respect 4 that!! creativity is all about workin with whatchu got and not letting anything get in your way!

full respect to all the dj's, mixers, producers, musicians, party people, soul people, breakers, taggers, ravers, kiddies, promoters, and performers!!!

[Obi's Evil Twin]

Just commenting on the title....

It says "DJ in need". Sorry, dude, you're not a DJ yet. You won't be until you buy some truntables, spend several hundred hours practicing, and get good enough to mix confidently and put together a good set. Wanting to be a DJ does not make you a DJ anymore than wanting to be an astronaut makes you an astronaut.

[Matthew Skye]

Originally posted by Obi's Evil Twin
Just commenting on the title....

It says "DJ in need". Sorry, dude, you're not a DJ yet. You won't be until you buy some truntables, spend several hundred hours practicing, and get good enough to mix confidently and put together a good set. Wanting to be a DJ does not make you a DJ anymore than wanting to be an astronaut makes you an astronaut.

Quite true.

No offence to Eric, but if you want to be a dj, go about it properly. Save up and buy tables, and a mixer. If your asking advice on how to mix mp3's on a computer, then ignore what i said; that isn't djing in the least. If i were a promoter i wouldnt book someone who sits up on stage with a laptop and plays songs, that is no where near enough of a show for a crowd to gather around. There would be plenty of other real dj's who have put much more time and effort into their work. If you want to use a computer in your... um... performance i would suggest learning how to produce.
It sounds to me like you want to be a dj, but dont want to give it all your attention or energy. I say there isnt much of a point in persuing it if you aren't going to give it your all. Again, if all you want to do is play mp3's from your computer, then this post is terribly mis-titled, and i don't even see why you posted.