TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- New gig for me!
Pages (2): « 1 [2]

If you're not familiar with CD player mixing, I'd suggest instead of playing back to back (1 or 2 tracks each then switch), perhaps you can have him play for 30 minutes and then you play for 30 minutes... that way you can get into a groove for a bit. I will guarentee that if you've never used cds before you'll trainwreck... the more you can minimize this chance, the better...

As for the other stuff on your list... that's all part of growing as a DJ. You have no idea how many times I've carried my gear to house parties or bars just to play a gig. It's redicuous, but it's how you gain experience in front of a crowd (even if it's just 10-15 people sometimes).

Have fun and good luck! Don't worry about it too much... think about it only as practice and if you screw up at a banquet hall, most people probably won't even notice or care...

quote:

Originally posted by Tygon If you're not familiar with CD player mixing, I'd suggest instead of playing back to back (1 or 2 tracks each then switch), perhaps you can have him play for 30 minutes and then you play for 30 minutes... that way you can get into a groove for a bit. I will guarentee that if you've never used cds before you'll trainwreck... the more you can minimize this chance, the better... As for the other stuff on your list... that's all part of growing as a DJ. You have no idea how many times I've carried my gear to house parties or bars just to play a gig. It's redicuous, but it's how you gain experience in front of a crowd (even if it's just 10-15 people sometimes). Have fun and good luck! Don't worry about it too much... think about it only as practice and if you screw up at a banquet hall, most people probably won't even notice or care...

Thanks for the advice. But you also scared the shit outta me (when I'm beginning to CHILL)

What do you mean I'll trainwreck? I won't be playing CDs, I'm ONLY mixing vinyl with the cds, so the maximum is where I mix out of his cds.

Were you referring to me trainwrecking if I use the CD player? Once again, only he will be playing cds and I'll only be playing vinyl. I'll mix out of his cds but not mix the actual cds.

What wer you referring to about trainwrecking? Damn, you just made me stumble.

EDIT: BTW, do you have any residencies/gigs?

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Thanks for the advice. But you also scared the shit outta me (when I'm beginning to CHILL) What do you mean I'll trainwreck? I won't be playing CDs, I'm ONLY mixing vinyl with the cds, so the maximum is where I mix out of his cds.

I agree with you, he's wrong. You shouldn't trainwreck. The first time I ever used a CD player a friend of mine was playing a small party (maybe 15 people). I wanted to spin, so I did...without any turntables, just with his CD players. And I was fine...honestly I expected to trainwreck a few, but I didn't. And this was a few years ago when I wasn't really ALL that confident on my turntables either (from what it sounds like, about the same as you are now).

So if that's the case, you definitely won't be affected by mixing out of tracks playing on the CD player. I wouldn't worry at all.

I'd still take his advice in that you should have at least a half hour or so between switching, but not for that reason...more because it sounds like you guys are going to be playing totally different genres, so you need some time in between. Otherwise, the musical progression over the night will be...weird.

Agreed. It will 'flow' better if you each play more than say 2 or 3 tracks continuously.
Let us know how you go!

Re: New gig for me!

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Cue? Buttons? Lights? Wheel? Wtf?

I don't know why reading this strikes me as really funny, but it does

What may help you is to know that it will have a pitch slider that works exactly the same way yours does (although watch out, because it might be set to a very large range, a.k.a. moving it a little bit changes the pitch a lot....just try moving it slightly and get a feel for its pitch, or a better idea would be to ask him ahead of time what range he typically uses...if he changes it a lot, maybe you should ask how to change it...it's usually simple - i could probably even tell you if you know the exact player). Just use that if you want to change the pitch on his tracks...since you might have to. Other than that, there's really no need to use any of the CD player functions.

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 I agree with you, he's wrong. You shouldn't trainwreck. The first time I ever used a CD player a friend of mine was playing a small party (maybe 15 people). I wanted to spin, so I did...without any turntables, just with his CD players. And I was fine...honestly I expected to trainwreck a few, but I didn't. And this was a few years ago when I wasn't really ALL that confident on my turntables either (from what it sounds like, about the same as you are now). So if that's the case, you definitely won't be affected by mixing out of tracks playing on the CD player. I wouldn't worry at all. I'd still take his advice in that you should have at least a half hour or so between switching, but not for that reason...more because it sounds like you guys are going to be playing totally different genres, so you need some time in between. Otherwise, the musical progression over the night will be...weird.

Yea no kidding!

When I went the the place, BEFORE OPENING, this guy was already playing 135-137 bpm house! (I know at least that much - i think - that you shouldn't be playing these as your first tracks)

So I don't know if I should talk to him about it, or it will offend him, and make me seem like a know-it-all.

Also I'm pretty confident on my TTs at home, and now I'm making mixes where I'm getting pretty satisfied with the mixing/beatmatching/equing...but not the track selection.

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Yea no kidding! When I went the the place, BEFORE OPENING, this guy was already playing 135-137 bpm house! (I know at least that much - i think - that you shouldn't be playing these as your first tracks) So I don't know if I should talk to him about it, or it will offend him, and make me seem like a know-it-all.

You should talk to him about what he'll be playing. If he's only gonna be playing fast, energetic house....maybe you should talk to him about staging the night so that maybe you have the first hour or whatever to yourself...then you go back to back for an hour or whatever, then he plays for the peak time hour (since it sounds like that's his strong point and your weakness), then go back to playing back to back. Or something along those lines...use each other's strengths to make the night better, not worse. I'm not sure how long the two of you are going to be playing, but tailor the exact times to that.

Just talk to him about it, and don't be too forceful.

quote:

Originally posted by IntegraR0064 Just talk to him about it, and don't be too forceful.

Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Nah, once you get on, don't let him back on...haha. hijack the night!!

Actually, yeah, just do that.

+1

unless he's bigger than you

Just let me play one more..... just let me play one more.... yeah I just want one more....
He might get sick of you and leave! Haha

Nah, I couldn't go with a 4 hour set anyways. All I really have are 'warm up' tracks. More progressive, nothing really that gets my fancy...

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Thanks for the advice. But you also scared the shit outta me (when I'm beginning to CHILL) What do you mean I'll trainwreck? I won't be playing CDs, I'm ONLY mixing vinyl with the cds, so the maximum is where I mix out of his cds. Were you referring to me trainwrecking if I use the CD player? Once again, only he will be playing cds and I'll only be playing vinyl. I'll mix out of his cds but not mix the actual cds. What wer you referring to about trainwrecking? Damn, you just made me stumble. EDIT: BTW, do you have any residencies/gigs?

Haha... sorry for making you nervous again. My intentions were informative... not malicious. Yes, I know you're only mixing vinyl.... Let me clarify...

When you mix a track, you're not just mixing on one turntable... as the tracks proceed to mix from one to the other, you'll generally be adjusting it slightly to ensure the tracks are bang on. This is usually done using the pitch control. So, lemme give you an example here.......

It's your turn to mix...you beatmatch your record and begin to mix in... everything should be fine... you begin to manipulate the EQs, perhaps adjusting the pitch on the vinyl slightly while you're bringing the track in.......... now, when you've eq'd YOUR track to the point that it becomes the dominant song, you should no longer be adjusting it for tempo/pitch/beatmatching.... theses adjustments can easily be heard by the crowd. SO... my point is that IFFFF you need to adjust the mix whatsoever to ensure the beats are bang on for the rest of the mix, you SHOULD be adjusting the CD deck.... to minimize the chance that the audience will hear your adjustments. It's easier and less noticable to manipulate the track you've mixed out of (CD deck) instead.

Maybe this won't make sense until you actually try mixing on equipment you're unfamiliar with... but my point in the previous message was to say.... try to minimize the amount that you have to use unfamiliar equipment is all...... however, practice adjusting the CD deck.. and by the end of the night, you'll be just fine. NEXT time you play there, you'll be a little more knowledgeable.

I'm not "wrong"... I was just giving you a heads-up on something to be aware of. Remember this piece of advice when you play

To answer your other question... I currently hold 3 residencies in the Toronto area... 1 of which is one of the area's super clubs (hosting 1000+ ppl/event)... I'm a founder of one of the leading production companies here and we bring in the best international djs. I have a lot of experience with playing on many different kinds of systems and in front of every size crowd. My company's main focus is based on helping 'up and comers' gain experience and knowledge in an industry that generally gives little to no room for growth...

quote:

Originally posted by Tygon I'm not "wrong"... I was just giving you a heads-up on something to be aware of. Remember this piece of advice when you play

Let me clarify as well...I didn't want to say that what you said was totally wrong. The statement that "you will trainwreck" was wrong. A more accurate one is "you may trainwreck". It's good that you posted that to give him a heads up, but I wanted to offer the counterpoint that I had no trouble whatsoever adjusting to CDs even when my time using CD decks had no turntables involved at all. And he doesn't even have to use any functions on there...the only thing he'll have to use is teh pitch control, which he should already know how to use since its the same as his turntables. It'd be understandable if he did have trouble, but he probably won't.

The only reason he might have a problem is if he corrects while in the mix by touching/moving the record, as opposed to using the pitch control. If that's the case...than he will have just a little more trouble. If this is the case, Ministerio, then I would also learn to use the jog wheel/pitch bend before the gig. MOST LIKELY (assuming he's not in numark's "scratch mode", which he shouldn't be if the guy he's spinning with is like 99.999% of edm djs), just spin the wheel counterclockwise to slow down the track slightly temporarily, and spin the wheel clockwise to speed it up slightly, temporarily. Again..very simple. Just make sure you get to try it once or twice before people arrive so you can get a little bit of a feel for how much you have to move it to get a certain amount of adjustment. This would be the equivalent of pushing /dragging the record.

Exactly...

And you're right.. "trainwreck" is a rather drastic term which I use loosely when referring to tracks becoming off-beat and not necessarily a complete disaster... It comes from listening to countless demos and developing a jaded ear for these things...

Another tip: The key to correction is not panicing... stay calm.. think about what needs to be done... and do it...

Didn't want to make you nervous... just have fun... that's all DJing is about......... go party and play your beats for everyone!

Thanks for the advice people. (Even though I've played out to people before, they haven't been main sets, thats why I'm a little bit edgy) Anyways, I never thought of that! I always adjust the non-dominant track at home too (like you mentioned Tygon), but I forgot I would be doing it too at the club/place.

I already use the pitch bending on the TTs, so I'm good there.

Hey Tygon, we should meet up sometime , since you frequent the Toronto area, no?



Thanks again, we'll see how it goes tomorrow. One more thing, I'm on the online record store site, picking some choons to play, I go through about 50 pages and pick 7 tunes that I REALLY like. So what do I find out? They are all out of stock! (All 7)

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio Thanks again, we'll see how it goes tomorrow. One more thing, I'm on the online record store site, picking some choons to play, I go through about 50 pages and pick 7 tunes that I REALLY like. So what do I find out? They are all out of stock! (All 7)

haha, i HATE that...that's why I don't use the sites that do that. I use chemicalrecords.co.uk, dancerecords.com, planetxusa.com...the ones with real time indication of whether or not its in stock.

Good luck tomorrow, and have fun.

*Ahem*

Shows been cancelled. Apparently the other guy aint doing the show there as well. (Due to there being private party) He thought I didn't want to go, because I hadn't called earlier (I just called him today - Friday, when the show's tomorrow) He told me he liked my cd, and told me that if I want, to come by next Friday...

I kind of feel wierd... sad and happy.

Well, more time to practice!

quote:

Originally posted by Ministerio *Ahem* Shows been cancelled. Apparently the other guy aint doing the show there as well. (Due to there being private party) He thought I didn't want to go, because I hadn't called earlier (I just called him today - Friday, when the show's tomorrow) He told me he liked my cd, and told me that if I want, to come by next Friday... I kind of feel wierd... sad and happy. Well, more time to practice!

NOOOOOoooooo!
Haha, just have to wait a bit longer.

quote:

Originally posted by skot_e Just let me play one more..... just let me play one more.... yeah I just want one more....

If I got paid everytime I heard that from young DJs I wouldn't have to do anything else.
That and also trying to hustle someone off the decks for no good reason before their time slot is finished. GAH!

But you will always get that in the DJ world.

Cheers
Nem

A good way of mixing back to back when you're not familiar with the other dudes style is to play a well known piece of music like the Warner Brothers jingle,(the one that plays before the movie) then just cut in with one of your tracks, then you've got no worries about beatmatching the other dudes track, it's lazy, but you usually get a laugh or two, then people get back into the groove of the stuff you play. Easy Does it.

A good way of mixing back to back when you're not familiar with the other dudes style is to play a well known piece of music like the Warner Brothers jingle,(the one that plays before the movie) then just cut in with one of your tracks, then you've got no worries about beatmatching the other dudes track, it's lazy, but you usually get a laugh or two, then people get back into the groove of the stuff you play. Easy Does it.

Sorry, i meant the fucking 20th Century Fox Jingle

quote:

Originally posted by ZeJayMan A good way of mixing back to back when you're not familiar with the other dudes style is to play a well known piece of music like the Warner Brothers jingle,(the one that plays before the movie) then just cut in with one of your tracks, then you've got no worries about beatmatching the other dudes track, it's lazy, but you usually get a laugh or two, then people get back into the groove of the stuff you play. Easy Does it. Sorry, i meant the fucking 20th Century Fox Jingle

Or, if you're playing trance, mix into a huge breakdown with no rhythmicness so it doesn't have to be beatmatched (for example one of those long string pads), like in the intro of certain tracks.

I used to do that when I closed the night after a drum and bass DJ.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.