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DJs How did you get your first break?

editor said:
The only thing I can scratch is my arse, my attempts at 'beat-matching' sound like a galloping herd of horses and the only DJ techniques I've learnt is how to play records one after another (usually) without big gaps inbetween.

Although there is absolutely a technical skill involved in 'proper' DJing, for most people a decent record collection, some idea of what's appropriate and an over-riding, infectious enthusiasm to share the songs they love with the crowd should be enough to get a good response.
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Rarely has the true spirit of Bring and Play been so succinctly put. :)
 
editor said:
Although there is absolutely a technical skill involved in 'proper' DJing, for most people a decent record collection, some idea of what's appropriate and an over-riding, infectious enthusiasm to share the songs they love with the crowd should be enough to get a good response.
Click to expand...
It depends - if you're playing techno/house/d'nb etc, it's pretty essential to be able to beat match, though thankfully it's becoming less essential with new technology like Ableton/Traktor - I intend to get Ableton one day, so even a plum like me will be able to be a proper DJ and mix some records together - I cannae wait!
 
Boogie Boy said:
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!


BB :rolleyes:
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is your objection to digital mixing to do with sound quality, or is it something to do with serving and apprenticeship slaving ove hot vinyl? 'cause if it's the first, fair play... if it's the second, i'd like to accuse you of being a snob...

:p ;)
 
Orang Utan said:
:confused:
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Just showing my own very deep seated prejudices Orang, for me it will always be two (maybe three or four) turntables and lots of vinyl. Every time I see an individual show up to a gig with a laptop a little part of me wants to cry.

BB
 
killer b said:
is your objection to digital mixing to do with sound quality, or is it something to do with serving and apprenticeship slaving ove hot vinyl? 'cause if it's the first, fair play... if it's the second, i'd like to accuse you of being a snob...

:p ;)
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Guilty as charged mate.

(And my mail box is no longer full) ;)

BB
 
Boogie Boy said:
Just showing my own very deep seated prejudices Orang, for me it will always be two (maybe three or four) turntables and lots of vinyl. Every time I see an individual show up to a gig with a laptop a little part of me wants to cry.

BB
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Even Claude Young has started using laptops - there's some amazing 'laptop' DJs out there - Surgeon being the best.

I have no skill in beatmatching but I would like to DJ - technology now allows me to do so. What's wrong with that?
 
killer b said:
where do you dj out, boogie? i'll try to check you out next time i'm london bound...
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I will let you know mate, if you let me know what sort of stuff you play then you would be more than welcome to come along and play at a gig I'm trying to arrange for some time in March.

BB :)
 
cool. that would be sweet... :)

i try to mix things up as much as poss, tbh - funk, reggae, hip hop, electro, new wave etc. i'd like to play techno, but my skillz just ain't up to it.

think i need to invest in some technics or something....
 
Orang Utan said:
Even Claude Young has started using laptops - there's some amazing 'laptop' DJs out there - Surgeon being the best.

I have no skill in beatmatching but I would like to DJ - technology now allows me to do so. What's wrong with that?
Click to expand...

I've had this argument with many people, and as I hinted at in my previous answer, it has a lot to do with my personal prejudices and the fact that I was influenced by seeing people like Grandmaster Flash, DJ Cheese, Chad Jackson, Roger Johnson, Richie Rich doing their thing on turntables. Somehow the argument always seems to come down to a lap top DJ stating something along the lines of 'well I do spend a lot of time having to convert music in to the appropriate kind of file before I play'.

Then the sequencing software does it all for them, bpm's, the lot.
All at the click of a mouse.

BB :)
 
killer b said:
cool. that would be sweet... :)

i try to mix things up as much as poss, tbh - funk, reggae, hip hop, electro, new wave etc. i'd like to play techno, but my skillz just ain't up to it.

think i need to invest in some technics or something....
Click to expand...

If you can mix that stuff then techno should be a breeze for ya!

BB :)
 
Boogie Boy said:
Then the sequencing software does it all for them, bpm's, the lot.
All at the click of a mouse.
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Which is why it is ace - anything that makes things easier is surely a boon
 
killer b said:
i dunno - you can get away with fading one track in as another finishes with funk etc... not true with techno. :(
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Ah, I tend to cut and scratch from one tune to another, especially with funk, concentrating on keeping the momentum going. Techno doesn't quite lend itself to that technique, but it is a piece of piss to mix and muck around with?

(And if you are serious about playing out sometime send me a CD of you doing your thing....)


BB :)
 
Anyway, mixing with techno is ime a good way to improve the length of the blend, while also forcing you to find pairs of tunes that you can actually blend (compatible key/production etc).


MP3 just don't sound good at high volume, neither.
 
MysteryGuest said:
At last! A joke based on the double meaning of the word break - took blummin ages as well. :cool:


I'm going to have my tea now. :cool: :cool: :cool:
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i know man, i read the whole thread and was shocked and appaled
 
Boogie Boy said:
Techno doesn't quite lend itself to that technique, but it is a piece of piss to mix and muck around with?
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Er....have you ever heard Jeff Mills, Terrence Parker or Claude Young?
 
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