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Who here is a DJ?

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surly

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When did you start? What sort of music do you spin? What equipment are you using? Post a link to some of your mixes.

I started dabbling with scratching in the mid-80s. I got my first proper equipment in the late 90s and have been DJing on and off ever since. I spin mostly hip-hop, but also bits and pieces from other genres - R&B, drum and bass, old rave stuff, dancehall. I don't play gigs any more, cos I don't like the direction hip-hop has taken, but I still enjoy making mixes just for fun.

Current gear: -

2 x Stanton STR8-150s with Shure M44-7s
Ecler Hak 310 with Pro X Fade
SSL

This is probably the best mix I've made. It's an old school hip-hop one featuring only tracks released in 1979: -

http://soundcloud.com/deejaysigma/79-a-mix-of-hip-hop-tracks

More mixes: -

http://soundcloud.com/deejaysigma
 
I've got a Traktor S4 I dabble with. Primarily interested in mixing Eurobeat, which pretty much no one wants to listen to, so I don't do gigs or even put out mixes. It was one of those things where I dropped the money on the kit to see if I'd enjoy it.

It's primarily stress relief at this point...if I've had a particularly bad day at work, I will come home, plug the controller in, crank the volume, and just mix whatever the hell I want.
 
When did you start?
1991, 'retired' in 2009

What sort of music do you spin?
Hip Hop primarily, but branched out into the standard eclectic party mix depending on the situation - funk, jazz, disco, rock, etc. Really got bit by the disco bug the last several years. Played in a bunch of bands too. (yes, I used to refer to myself as a 'turntablist' /shiver)

What equipment are you using?
Technics 1210
been through so many mixers it's ridiculous, but the last two were a Rane TTM54 and Ecler Nuo 3.0
Shure M447
Sony MDR 7509 headphones
MOTU 828 mkII
Alesis M1 active monitors
Serato

Post a link to some of your mixes.
I'm out of town for the holidays, but I'll try to upload some after the New Year.
 
I got decks back in 2000 tried to learn to mix for about 2 years just couldn't get the hang of it and sold my decks, was a shame cos I'd built up quite a big collection of trance and hard house, still got a box of some of my vinyl might buy some new decks next year and give it another go
 
I've been DJing to myself for a year now, and just recently landed my first residency. I do disco, house, techno, drum n bass, dubstep when im alone, but do purely disco/house for my residency. I've been going through a huge techno phase as of late, but here is my last mix I released: soundcloud.com/erkr/Sally-smoking-cigars It's a really fun house mix I did just for fun. I'm about to upload a funky techno mix, probably in the next day or two.

I use Traktor 2 with a Reloop Digital Jockey 2 Interface Edition. If I had the money and space, I would do purely vinyl, but until I get my own apartment that'll have to wait. And no, I don't touch the sync button :P
 
I am a DJ, I mainly play punk rock, hardcore, rock n roll etc. records at shows. I only play records, so no Traktors or mp3 discs for me.

Next gig will be on new years eve for me.
 
nel e nel said:
What sort of music do you spin?
Hip Hop primarily, but branched out into the standard eclectic party mix depending on the situation - funk, jazz, disco, rock, etc. Really got bit by the disco bug the last several years. Played in a bunch of bands too. (yes, I used to refer to myself as a 'turntablist' /shiver)
Click to expand...
I'm well up for hearing some of your stuff man! Don't forget to post it when you're back at home.

As for scratching being on the way out. Meh. Not a chance.

The next Qbert - and it's a 13 year old girl: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wyFQP3joj0
 
I used to DJ rock/metal clubs, which I admit is not the same thing. I tried to play a decent mix of "classics" and popular modern songs, and throw in the odd up and comer/obscure track that I thought could do with more exposure.
 
I wanted to start DJing for some time... Anyone got some basic guides and such for what I'll need and how can I learn the craft?
 
dude said:
I wanted to start DJing for some time... Anyone got some basic guides and such for what I'll need and how can I learn the craft?
Click to expand...

Know what type of club or party you want to DJ. Have an enthusiastic, and expanding, knowledge of the type of music wanted. Love the music. Equipment is actually fairly simple, passion for music goes a long way.
 
Captain_Spanky said:
Know what type of club or party you want to DJ. Have an enthusiastic, and expanding, knowledge of the type of music wanted. Love the music. Equipment is actually fairly simple, passion for music goes a long way.
Click to expand...

Good advice. The equipment I had was pretty basic but people liked having me as a DJ due to me playing fresh new music and not stuff that people were use to hearing when going to gatherings.
 
Captain_Spanky said:
Know what type of club or party you want to DJ. Have an enthusiastic, and expanding, knowledge of the type of music wanted. Love the music. Equipment is actually fairly simple, passion for music goes a long way.
Click to expand...

I know the type of place (mostly the small pubs and clubs I go to), I also know the music (various music I've collected, I have a big crush on 60-70 Ethiopian and Eritrean pop music for example).
I'd love to know what beginner hardware and/or software I'll need and such though...

Thanks :)
 
dude said:
I wanted to start DJing for some time... Anyone got some basic guides and such for what I'll need and how can I learn the craft?
Click to expand...
For me, the main things an upcoming DJ should have are: -

1. A love of a particular genre, or genres, of music.
2. A basic understanding of the craft of DJing and a desire to learn it.

It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people get into it because it's "cool", because "it gets them chicks" or whatever. If you don't have 1 + 2 then I would honestly say don't bother.

What gear you buy depends on what you want to do. If you want to learn to scratch, I would say get turntables + mixer + DVS. Anything else is a choice of that, or CDJs, or some kind of controller.

As for learning the craft technically, the basics are: -

1. Levels (setting the levels so one song doesn't drown out another)
2. Beatmatching (getting both tracks to the same BPM)
3. Phrase matching (matching "phrases" of the songs in a pleasing way)
4. EQs (using the EQs on the mixer to the best effect)

Outside of the basic technical stuff, it comes down to song selection (the most important thing of all), reading the crowd, networking and so on.
 
surly said:
For me, the main things an upcoming DJ should have are: -

1. A love of a particular genre, or genres, of music.
2. A basic understanding of the craft of DJing and a desire to learn it.

It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people get into it because it's "cool", because "it gets them chicks" or whatever. If you don't have 1 + 2 then I would honestly say don't bother.

What gear you buy depends on what you want to do. If you want to learn to scratch, I would say get turntables + mixer + DVS. Anything else is a choice of that, or CDJs, or some kind of controller.

As for learning the craft technically, the basics are: -

1. Levels (setting the levels so one song doesn't drown out another)
2. Beatmatching (getting both tracks to the same BPM)
3. Phrase matching (matching "phrases" of the songs in a pleasing way)
4. EQs (using the EQs on the mixer to the best effect)

Outside of the basic technical stuff, it comes down to song selection (the most important thing of all), reading the crowd, networking and so on.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice :)

I'll continue exploring and hopefully willfigure all these things out.
 
I am no DJ, but earlier this year I got myself a Korg Synth, and the Reaper DAW to record in. Still dabbling with it every so often.

Hoping I can create something half decent eventually.
 
Blackace is the best DJ on gaf.
My friend also DJ's, he does mostly techno, minimalist stuff where he uses stuff he made and other artists songs. He would like to do other genres but everyone he knows is a techno DJ and it's hard to break into other scenes without knowing someone. It was neat to listen to him improve, when he first started 3 years ago he was so messy but every set he records he gets better and better.
 
I guess I am. I started messing around learning to beatmatch on a computer like 6 years ago. I have all the equipment and used to mix all the time, I even started landing some small gigs here and there, mixed live on some websites. Recently though, school and work haven't allowed me to continue as much as I want. As soon as I'm done with school I plan to dive deep into DJ more. It's a dream of mine to play gigs at clubs and large crowds.

I play almost any electronic music, which I've been listening to since I knew what it was.

My equipment:
2 Technics 1200 turntables
1 Pioneer CDJ-1000
Denon mixer
KRK monitors
Whitelabel needles
A sampler.

When I get back into DJing I plan on upgrading to something like Serato.

Here's my Soundcloud with a few mixes.

http://soundcloud.com/user4205283
 
I only play records I like, DJ isn't a jukebox. Of course if someone wants to hear something I got of course I will play it too, but that could/would eventually happen anyway. What do you think?

Usually I carry about 150 7":s per night, which gives enough to choose from.
 
When did you start?
1995, stopped in 1997, started again in 1999, retired in 2007.

What sort of music do you spin?
Depends on the gig. Mostly House and Breaks. Occasional Indie Rock gig. Trance in the late 90s, early 2000s.

What equipment are you using?
Technics 1200M3Ds
Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3s
Allen & Heath Xone:92
Sennheiser HD-25s

I can post a pic when I get on my computer.

Post a link to some of your mixes.
Haven't recorded a mix in years.

I'm a moderator at www.djforums.com, which is unfortunately down for a while. :(
 
Sobriquet said:
IIRC I'm pretty sure I introduced you to Faderwave. :)
Click to expand...

Haha, I knew it! Your username sounded familiar, thanks again for getting me on there. I wish I could've continued longer, but not having a setup for digital music to keep bringing new tracks every week made me stop earlier than I wanted to.
 
When did you start?
Started in 2004. I still spin (bedroom DJ styles) but it's more of a personal hobby then anything else.

What sort of music do you spin?

Started with Jungle/Drum and Bass. Moved on to Hardcore and Dubstep. I still spin a mix of everything mentioned

What equipment are you using?
Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3s
Pioneer DJM800
RP-DH1200

Post a link to some of your mixes.

I used to record mixes while I was still in school with a good friend of mine. Now not so much...
 
I've been a 'Bedroom DJ' since about early 2008. I produce and mostly mix around 140 to 130 BPM. I'm all about the dub, with and without the step, garage.. also jungle, drum & bass etc. I like to throw in mental things as well that i couldn't really name the genre off. I'm also starting to branch off towards minimalistic house/techno'e stuff,4 kicks a bar shit.. for example.. boddika.

I mostly separate my sets into 130 - 140 dubstep sets and 175 jungle/dnb assaults.

I use Ableton Live on my laptop but don't get me wrong, i sure know how to beat match with any other devices like turntables and playing off of other laptops. I'm also getting pretty good with turntables :).

Yesterday, i purchased an ESI Gigaport HD external sound card. It's job is to split my laptops audio into 4 different channels so i can get a mix on the go with my brand new mixer..
The Reloop RMX-40
Dwsgv.jpg


I cannot wait for it to arrive :D

Now that I've amassed a setup worthy of a good sound system I'm going to start jumping on opportunity's to play at party's, festivals and nights in and around my local area. Whether people are into my style though.. that's anyone's guess hah. Nah i've got some good support :)
 
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