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Wanting To Be A Trance DJ In Houston

Hey everyone my name is Michael, I'm 21, and I live in Houston! I'm new to the Trance world, and DJing, but I want to learn. This is my first year at College after a few years break. I was in the Air Force for two years, but now I'm home. Now I am only working once a month, but college takes up a bit of my time. In my spare time I'd like to learn how to use my DJ equipment. Is there any Houston DJs out there that spin Trance, and wouldn't mind teaching me? As afr as what I have to learn off of, I have an ok setup I guess...

(2) Technics SL-1210M5G
(1) Newmark Mixer DM3001X
My headphones broke, so I have shitty ones.
For a power amplifier I use my DVD surround system...LOL!

Don't laugh believe it or not I signed up in the Air Force knowing I wasn't gonna make good money. My turntables are the only thing I'm proud of right now, I mean my vinyl collection? I don't have one, but I got a few records. I hit a money problem with expences that came up. Mainly what happened was I needed to get back into school. In a few months my debtrs will be paid off, and I'll have my money kicking in again. Once that happens I'd like to be up to speed. For anyone with advice, or if your from Houston, and can help me out I appreciate any replys I get.

Welcome to the boards... what part of Houston are you in? I'm out west in Katy.

Thanks...really? cool shit! the best way to describe where I live is hwy 6 and I-10, but if you know where Westside High School is I live about a mile away.

check your PM

We're practically neighbors.

M5G's!!! NICE!!! Welcome to the boards mate

Thanks man, but like I tell everyone...thats all I got for bragging rights. I can't wait to get some pay checks in. So whats your story? You from Houston?

whats up and welcome to the boards....im not from houston but youll find a lot of houston people that are cool here. lates.

quote:

Originally posted by tequilatwin2 Thanks man, but like I tell everyone...thats all I got for bragging rights. I can't wait to get some pay checks in. So whats your story? You from Houston?

Nah I'm not from Houston mate. I've been living in San Antonio for just over 2 years now, goin to UTSA here. Ameture DJ also

Oh ok, well glad to hear that this forum has alot more then just experienced djs. I've only been practicing for like a few months, but hopefully if I meet some people here I can pick up some shit. I already talked to someone earlier today, and I think in his spare time I could learn a lot. I'm going to a club in a few hours, but I'll post something tomorow. I think I won't get any more different people to look at this so I'll have to make another post tomorrow.

I live in NW Houston, been spinning for roughly 3 years now. I don't spin as much trance as I used to as my tastes began to drift more toward progressive in the past year, but I still have a passion for both genres. I'd be willing to answer any question and give any pointers where needed bro.

I didnt have anyone help me with DJing, it was all practice, perseverence, trial and error, and whatnot...and I feel that is the best way to learn. If you have the heart for it bro and keep practicing at it, you will naturally improve at your art and eventually become better at it than you would have every initially realized

I have a few mixes on my website below if you are interested.

Hey another guy from Houston. <<>> Yeah I'll definately have to check out your site. The only thing about having people show you the ropes when it comes to music is that sometimes people try to tell you whats good and whats not. I think as long as your open-minded, but develop your own tastes it's probably better learning from someone. The only reason why I say this is because when I lived back in Colorado for a year in a dorm, I learned a bit from watching people mess up. It looks alot cleaner when your doing it, but when your just listening it helps pick up stuff you could be doing wrong. The fustrating thing for me right now is since I didn't wanna spin on a waste of $200 for a dj startup kit, I ended up spending more then I thought I could for my turntables, and now I'm lacking the vinyl. I'm learning the records which is important, but it gets old, and the meatmatching is so fustrating. It is a ridiculous thing to buy a BPM counter? I'd like to know what people think of it as far as lameness. Would someone judge you off of using one to make sure your getting the music on beat? For now I gotta stick with my ears, but just thought I'd ask. No one in my dorm had bought or used one, they just kept on practicing.

quote:

Originally posted by tequilatwin2 The only thing about having people show you the ropes when it comes to music is that sometimes people try to tell you whats good and whats not.

Yeah that is definitely what I would not do. Most of music is subjective and it should be..as I believe its a personal reflection of a person's style, taste, expression..etc. On the other hand there is a technical side to the art regarding getting something to sound good: levels, controlling a good balance of frequencies with eq, use of effects, that sort of thing. While there isnt a single right way to do it, there are certain guidelines toward achieving a good sound.

Again, much of that I learned on my own from watching others mix and listening to live sets. I listened not only to what appealed to me, but also to what did not appeal to me and determine why it didnt work so well to avoid making the same mistake. I have also been studying audio engineering since early 2002 which has helped me develop a decent ear for mixing as alot of the rules apply.

I would say before worrying about anything else, primarily focus on beatmatching and being able to transition one track to the next without the tracks sounding off-beat. Needless to say, even if you have your EQs matched up, tracks phrased..your listeners will always notice a trainwreck (defined as when two tracks fall out of phase over the main system)

As far as phrasing goes...everyone is different but I tend to cue tracks up on intervals of 64 beats (sometimes 128). Some phrase after 16 or 32..which may be only necessary for some techno genres, but I feel that isnt enough to get a flawless transition. Again...its all subjective, but I found it works the best for me no matter which two songs I mix together (that are compatible...more on that later).

Generally the first and last 2 minutes of a track are the most ideal for transitions as they contain the least melody and vocals if any. Since you are mixing trance...here are a few suggestions. It's not a good idea to mix two tracks that contain vocals or melodies unless they are in absolutely the same key and/ or their harmonics work well together...this is a rare case in my opinion, but others may disagree. I would avoid mixing all anthem sets, between anthems mix in tracks where the main focus is on the bassline.

A brief note on EQs, during transitions try to pull back on the lows and highs to avoid your bass being too boomy and your treble from becomeing too shrill. Always keep an eye on the meters every few seconds and avoid playing in the reds wherever you can..as distortion is NOT a good thing. Not for the speakers anyway.. lol.

Anyways, just a few suggestions and my personal 0.02. The main thing is just practice and self-discovery on what works. If you ever have any questions, feel free to hit me or any DJ on here up on aim or email.

best wishes,
Matthias

I'm still at home cause my twin brother and I are waiting for our friend to stop by before we all head out. I thought it was ok to get to the first red dot? Is that bad? I guess I'll tune it down a bit. I've never heard the term phasing, so I'll have to get aused to that. Yeah I usually use one with vocal at most, but with Nothing But You by Paul Van Dyk, as long as it sounds on key like you said it's not as difficult messing with two different vocals. They better hurry up cause before we go we gotta drink a bit before we goto Hush, cause drinks there are expensive. My bro got rum and coke last time though, and he said the guy at the bar hooked him up.
Hey guys I gotta run take care.

quote:

Originally posted by tequilatwin2 I thought it was ok to get to the first red dot? Is that bad? I guess I'll tune it down a bit..

nah thats fine if its peaking in the reds a little , what I meant was having all solid red lights to where your sending a heavily overdriven/ distorted signal from the mixer to your speaker. 2-3 red lights is fine.

Phasing is another word for beatmatching. Its when you have both songs in perfect alignment. While perfection isnt necessary, the rule of thumb is to get to the point where you have to do minimal corrections (forward/reverse adjustments on the patter)

-not to be confused with phrasing, which is the term for cue your songs up every 32, 64, 128 beats or whatever works.

Thanks alot for the info cause I thought I was doing something bad at first. Last night was alright I guess. Since my friend turned 21 last week, and I had work we went out to where he wanted instead. The strip club we went to was alright I guess, but to me it's mostly a tease, and to do very rarely. Exception is if you go with some girls too. Friends with benefits at most, but no strong emotional attachment due to jelousy. I got hit on by one of the girls though and she was really hot, but the used girl isn't too much my type. Anyway, I was messin with her, she started rubbing me all over, and asked me if I wanted a lap dance. I knew she wanted some money in it, so still playing I asked how much? She said 45! It took alot not to bust out laughing, but I told her I'm the kinda guy that don't pay for sex. I mean come on sex is free. Unless you got a wife or something and she puts the breaks on ya. Then, you gotta be her bitch to get some. If your at least decent and don't let her do all the work then she's gonna enjoy it too. Thats alot of bs! Anyway, we are allowed to say shit like this on the forum right? I'm climbing down of my box c-ya later everyone I gotta study, or I'm gonna end up paying for the classes I fail.

quote:

Originally posted by tequilatwin2 I mean come on sex is free. Unless you got a wife or something and she puts the breaks on ya. Then, you gotta be her bitch to get some.

that made my f*cking day dude that was some funny shit


cause its true





f*cking wife and kids

LOL! I'm so glad I don't have a wife, and kids just yet. I love kids though, but well with the odds and all I just hope I marry right. Thanks for stoping by my post.

Im biased when it comes to teaching people. I taught myself, and I think people should teach themselves. It makes you a better dj and your own type of dj. When you can create your own style, its much more rewarding.. just my opinion. Not that I live in Houston or like it regardless! lol

quote:

Originally posted by Matthias I have also been studying audio engineering since early 2002...

Hey Mattias,
Where did you study audio engineering at? Are there any schools in Houston or Texas that provide audio engineering course?
Im interested in that field.

welcome to the boards.

When you feel you are ready to play out you should go to open table tuesdays at industry cafe(2110 Rusk). All you need is your headphones, needles, records, and 5 friends to come check you out.The Dj that brings the most heads gets a guest spot at Pure Energy Saturdays( industry).

Nice! Hey whats the cover for that place. I might have to go anyway just to talk to some DJs there. Also when on Tuesdays is a good time, or on Saturdays?

quote:

Originally posted by hclam Hey Mattias, Where did you study audio engineering at? Are there any schools in Houston or Texas that provide audio engineering course? Im interested in that field.

I am a student at HCC Northwest, Town & Country. I believe San Jacinto also offers the same degree/ certificate plan. Im currently pursuing the Applied Audio Sciences (AAS) degree. Here's the website for my school's audio department:

http://nwc.hccs.edu/av/index.html

If you want to learn more about it on your own before taking the courses, I recommend picking up the book Modern Recording Techniques by David Miles Huber, if you read a chapter a week before taking the first 3 audio engineering courses..gaurunteed to make straight A's. Damn good book as well...

quote:

Originally posted by Tranceision When you feel you are ready to play out you should go to open table tuesdays at industry cafe(2110 Rusk). All you need is your headphones, needles, records, and 5 friends to come check you out.The Dj that brings the most heads gets a guest spot at Pure Energy Saturdays( industry).

been a while since I've played there.

problem was I have no real friends that ever showed up to see me play, and I couldnt claim the people that came up there anyways. *shrugs* ah well.

I would say out of the 50 or so people I contacted about my opening for Kimball Collins, only one of em came out (with the exception of a few that post on here: GBM, Frisco, Screen and a few others. But then again...still had a crowd of 400 to play for

quote:

Originally posted by tequilatwin2 Nice! Hey whats the cover for that place. I might have to go anyway just to talk to some DJs there. Also when on Tuesdays is a good time, or on Saturdays?

Tuesdays, no cover.

Saturdays usually $5

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