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quote:

Originally posted by lawrenceq cool, i was going to come check it out when above & beyond played back in the winter when i was working at Panorama mountain resort. I will make sure to pop in next time.

that was a good show, they rocked it but the place was filled to the rafters, it gets a little uncomfortable when you can barely move, let alone dance

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN +10000000000 Tony, I've been saying the same thing for years. At most play with the eq's at opportune points to enhance the elements of the tracks but the vast majority of FX just sound toy and/or crap.

i disagree. you're not doing much as a dj if you're just slapping tracks on one after the other. the point is to personalize your set and present your perception of the tracks. obviously track selection is very important, as is the structure of your set, but effects can go a long way. granted that some effects sound shit, but you can always do things to better fit a tune into your set. there's a lot of effects that can sound very decent. the roll, filter, echo, flanger and so on are all very useful. you just have to make sure you're not overdoing it. i'm not saying that effects are the only way to personalize your set, but they shouldn't be discarded completely.

quote:

Originally posted by Imu i disagree. you're not doing much as a dj if you're just slapping tracks on one after the other. the point is to personalize your set and present your perception of the tracks. obviously track selection is very important, as is the structure of your set, but effects can go a long way. granted that some effects sound shit, but you can always do things to better fit a tune into your set. there's a lot of effects that can sound very decent. the roll, filter, echo, flanger and so on are all very useful. you just have to make sure you're not overdoing it. i'm not saying that effects are the only way to personalize your set, but they shouldn't be discarded completely.

the best way to personalize your set is through skill and dynamic mixing, effects are for top 40 and shit djs, get the fuck outtahere.


omg look a flanger, epic plur.

sfini.

quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox No it's not, on both CDJ800s and 1000s you can only set loops points to an accuracy of 1/75th of a second, which isn't accurate enough to be "seamless" - worst case you can be the equivalent of half a bpm out with a 4 beat loop (which will drift out of time as quickly as if you set the pitch slider 'wrong' by about 0.6% out on a normal mix - i.e. fairly quickly) You'll normally find you have to adjust the pitch slightly even when you've got the loop as accurate as it can be, if only by 0.05 or 0.1% Plus you've got the added bonus of the CDJ800 being slightly slow in placing the loop out point, so sometimes it puts it a bit after you've pressed it (loops fine when you hit the button, but the loop's then a bit too long next time it goes round) - and no it's not me being a bit of a retard when I hit the button But it is doable, you can get used to it... really short loops will always be a pain on the 800, but fixing longer loops and adjusting the pitch to suit becomes 2nd nature.

This is the single biggest reason I switched to Traktor. So simple and helps so much with my mixing style.

Agree with this:

quote:

Originally posted by notelfreak the best way to personalize your set is through skill and dynamic mixing,

But completely disagree with this:

quote:

Originally posted by notelfreak effects are for top 40 and shit djs, get the fuck outtahere.

FX have a place - yeah gratuitous flanging is just annoying, but if you're subtle about it you can really make FX work well. If done well, I don't see it as "a track with some FX over the top", it all becomes part of the tracks, part of the mix.

You can use reverb to add in a build up at the point you want it, to emphasise a track coming in or whatever you like. Filters can make a mix smoother than EQ.

Even the god forsaken flanger can work if you use it towards the end of a build up and ease it in with the wet/dry, or have it over one track and not the other during a mix to make it less in your face etc

There are 100 ways to use each kind of effect, so don't just think of each one just having one particular sound - set a flanger on a fast cycle but only throw it to wet on the dropping period just before a beat drops in, for example (I'm only focussing on the flanger because you attacked it, fairly enough really because it's the most abused effect in the world)

Just use them sparingly, appropriately and subtley and don't think that whacking the orange button a few times makes you a "technical" or "original" DJ.

I have seen some people do really amazing shit with effects + filters on a break, really made the breakdown sound professional, no way I can repeat what he did... At least yet

quote:

Originally posted by Stu Cox Agree with this: But completely disagree with this: FX have a place - yeah gratuitous flanging is just annoying, but if you're subtle about it you can really make FX work well. If done well, I don't see it as "a track with some FX over the top", it all becomes part of the tracks, part of the mix. You can use reverb to add in a build up at the point you want it, to emphasise a track coming in or whatever you like. Filters can make a mix smoother than EQ. Even the god forsaken flanger can work if you use it towards the end of a build up and ease it in with the wet/dry, or have it over one track and not the other during a mix to make it less in your face etc There are 100 ways to use each kind of effect, so don't just think of each one just having one particular sound - set a flanger on a fast cycle but only throw it to wet on the dropping period just before a beat drops in, for example (I'm only focussing on the flanger because you attacked it, fairly enough really because it's the most abused effect in the world) Just use them sparingly, appropriately and subtley and don't think that whacking the orange button a few times makes you a "technical" or "original" DJ.

i completely agree i was just trying to be a cock.

the reality at least to me, is that once you master how to use a 3rd (and for some even 4!, think old school 4 deck loop tech) deck and incorporate it into your set (i am not talking about going hawtin and just slamming 10 tracks on top of each other.) you will look at the fx unit as being an "easier n cheesier" way to add a personal touch.

during a break or transition sure you can go all "pew pew echo echo ping pong omg i am sahsa and i still play that fucking supermayer track rawwwwwwwwwwwr raaaawr smoke machine in rave glasses"

or my personal fav
add an element of a 3rd track and make people go "omg i almost chocked on my candy knecklace, i hope he puts on a animal head"

the 1+1 = 3 rule can create much more drama than a simple pew pew.

i hope this makes sense, i am scratching my balls in my underwear with my sleep drool still on my face waiting for this stupid espresso machine to deliver me my wake up juice/slash deadmau5 smile elixir.

keep it plur

ps no one say zabiela because it sounds like shit.

yea, that's what i'm talking about, do it the old and proper way by layering beats and acapellas over top to create something new, you don't need effects and loops to do that

effects are less is more, the less you use them the more they're going to have an impact when you do use them

and the key is subtlety, you want to be gentle, the wet/dry knob is not a dirty whore, don't just slam it in there, you have to ease it in, unless the track just calls for a dirty slut approach, then have at er

you want to make the effects seem like they were part of the original recording

i just don't understand looping, if the song has a 30 second mix, i'm going to mix it in 30 seconds and make it sound good, hence my looping is for pussies comment (mind you i was right shitfaced, but still the truth regardless)

i will add with all of the technology accessible today and its relatively ease of use making your own edits is a great way to personalize your set and make those tracks with short or hard to mix intros more dj friendly.

you can do much cooler stuff with 2 copies of the same track then with the delay

looping has its uses, but in my eyes it is less for transitions as it is to have a little fun with a vocal element added over a boring break..

quote:

Originally posted by notelfreak you can do much cooler stuff with 2 copies of the same track then with the delay looping has its uses, but in my eyes it is less for transitions as it is to have a little fun with a vocal element added over a boring break..

Yeah at a gig a few weeks ago I decided to use 2 copies of a tune for a bit of looping rather than the loop button cos it was quite a long loop and I wanted it to start at different points each time, so rather than adjusting the start point or setting up a load of hotcues it just made more sense to have another copy and start it a bit earlier/later or switch across to the other copy a bit earlier/later to do what I wanted.

yes, the control is much easier that way i find. It still can take a little practice at times, but once you nail the result you were looking for it can be amazing for sure.

First decent thread in the DJ Booth in quite some time.

I completely agree about track selection. A mate of mine turned around the other day and said the dj's skills are 90% of the package. I set him straight and let him know it was actually 90 odd percent Track Selection.

Anyway, Effects are there to be used. But are used 7/10 in the wrong way. I'd rather have them there than not as every now and again I like to add a little something, usually a little delay or a little reverb. Again once maybe twice a set.

Haven't really messed with doubling up tracks that much although I do like the effect it gives when you slow them down/speed the track up.

bad djs are like sinn fein a necessity but they really need to move aside and let the real solution take place

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello yea, that's what i'm talking about, do it the old and proper way by layering beats and acapellas over top to create something new, you don't need effects and loops to do that effects are less is more, the less you use them the more they're going to have an impact when you do use them and the key is subtlety, you want to be gentle, the wet/dry knob is not a dirty whore, don't just slam it in there, you have to ease it in, unless the track just calls for a dirty slut approach, then have at er you want to make the effects seem like they were part of the original recording i just don't understand looping, if the song has a 30 second mix, i'm going to mix it in 30 seconds and make it sound good, hence my looping is for pussies comment (mind you i was right shitfaced, but still the truth regardless)

Come on man, it's fucking 2009! No one is doing anything new mixing 2 or three tracks together. Besides it takes a certain level of skill to use effects properly and effectively and when done right, sounds great, simple as that! Sure too much effects will ruin a set, but imo these posts and arguments come off both cocky and naive.
Phasing with 2 copies of a record is fun though!

and efx units have existed for a long time and you are doing nothing new by using them either. If you just wanna take the easy way out fine, but don't give me the its 2009 bullshit

Yeah but seriously, where the fuck would electronic music be without effects.

Freak, Tony, and the others who agree with them have it spot on. The rest of you should take some tips from them. It will make you a better DJ.

I use the fuck out of FX, Filters, and 3rd/4th decks, but that all comes with time and really needs to be done sparingly and tastefully.

I'm a huge proponent of doubling tracks since I have the luxury of Traktor Scratch, and I also use outboard guitar stomp box FX on the auxiliary of my A&H. And I started out as a turntablist.

90-95% of the time you will find me mixing straight up with just the gain/faders to do 2-4 minute transitions with sparing use of the EQs.

I agree with what Tony and Jay are saying somewhat with overusing them but I just don't get why they are are completely knocking the use of effects. They allow for simple alterations/manipulations that can't be achieved by layering sounds on one another. Why is that such a bad thing to be doing?

i have a distaste for efx because 99% of the time they are over done. A little delay never hurt anyone, but too much pew pew pow pow really ruins the music for me.

the way it is used also often leads to killing the natural flow of a set. Flow is something that i find very important, and it is one of the hardest skills to master imo as a dj.

example: i'll be grooving along nicely to a great track on the dance floor, and then here comes this break that totally makes me stop moving and gets me off of my vibe(not a drug thing). Instead of giving me some more beats over the break to keep me moving, i get an effect laden break in an attempt for me to have a hands in the air moment and pay attention to the dj.

That is not what i am there for, keep me moving please.

quote:

Originally posted by Teezdalien I agree with what Tony and Jay are saying somewhat with overusing them but I just don't get why they are are completely knocking the use of effects. They allow for simple alterations/manipulations that can't be achieved by layering sounds on one another. Why is that such a bad thing to be doing?

probably because almost everyone who thinks they're doing smooth shit with FX is just not

Zabs and Halliwell are prime examples.

the only djs i enjoy watching like a hawk are turntablists (haliwell is not one, trancers just think so because they do not know any better).

everyone is always like omg zabiela is so crazy.

i am like:

he is the dj that i have seen that has made me dance the least out of anyone that i have ever seen.

stop putting that pussy on a pedestal, you remember when he throws up klingon hand gestures only because the musical experience is entirely forgettable.

Yes I come from a turntablist/underground hip hop background and what Zabs does just makes me want to cry.

quote:

Originally posted by Zild Yes I come from a turntablist/underground hip hop background and what Zabs does just makes me want to cry.

Why is that...? Could you please elaborate more...? I think he is a great dj.

I'm pretty much on the fence with Zabiela, I can see why people like to watch him, and although he's talented I do find him a little tedious after a while...... maybe it doesn't help that I'm not that into breaks either.

i saw zabs play, i didn't dance one second his entire set, i did stand there and watch him though, it was neat to look at but it wasn't anything i wanted to or could dance to

it's about keeping the beat going and keeping the crowd grooving, you're not there to be a shining star, you're there to make people dance, period

some djs seem to forget that

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